%0 Journal Article %J Pharmacognosy Research %D 2013 %T The Triterpenoid Fraction from Trichosanthes Dioica Root Exhibits in Vitro Antileishmanial Effect Against Leishmania Donovani Promastigotes %A Sanjib Bhattacharya %A Moulisha Biswas %A Pallab K Haldar %K Antileishmanial %K Cucurbitacins %K Leishmania Donovani %K Ppromastigotes %K Root %K Trichosanthes Dioica %X

Background: Trichosanthes dioica Roxb. (Cucurbitaceae), called pointed gourd in English is a dioecious climber found wild throughout the plains of the Indian subcontinent and traditionally used in India for several medicinal purposes. Objective: The present study was aimed at the evaluation of in vitro antileishmanial effect of triterpenoid fraction from T. dioica root (CETD). Materials and Methods: The antileishmanial activity of CETD was evaluated against Leishmania donovani (strain MHOM/IN/83/AG83)) promastigotes by in vitro promastigote cell toxicity assay by using MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide). Potassium antimonyl tartrate was used as reference. Results: Here, CETD markedly inhibited the growth of L. donovani promastigotes in vitro in a concentration dependent manner and demonstrated IC 50 value of 18.75 μg/ml. The reference drug potassium antimonyl tartrate exhibited IC 50 of 7.52 μg/ml. Conclusion: From the present study it can be inferred that the triterpenoid fraction of T. dioica root exhibited remarkable antileishmanial activity against Leishmania donovani promastigotes in vitro.

%B Pharmacognosy Research %V 5 %P 109-112 %8 April 2013 %G eng %N 2 %9 Original Article %& 109 %R 10.4103/0974-8490.110540