Pharmacognostic screening, physico-chemical and cytotoxic potential of Sesuvium sesuvioides (Fenzyl) Verdc.

Sesuvium sesuvioides(Fenzl) Verdc. (Aizoaceae) is commonly known as BarriUlwaiti and used in folklore remedies; i.e. arthritis, gout, epistaxis, hemorrhage, smallpox, chickenpox, cold and flu by the local practitioners in the Cholistan desert. In the current study, fresh and dried plant material was examined macroscopically and microscopically. Transverse sections of plant parts such as leaf, stem, root and flower were also examined. Physico-chemical and fluorescence analysis according to WHO recommendations for standardization of plant material were performed. Phytochemical screening maybe helpful in determining the secondary metabolites responsible for their biological activities. Mineral analysis (Na+, K+, Li+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl-, Zn2+, Cu2+ and Fe2+), total fat and crude proteins were estimated to evaluate the nutritional value of the plant. In in-vitro cytotoxic activity, n-hexane fraction (50μg) showed significant results against Human T-lymphoblastic Leukemia CCRF-CEM cell lines followed by methanol and chloroform fractions. This study will be worthwhile for the correct identification and for observing any type of adulteration. This observation will be helpful for differentiating this species from closely related species of the same genus or family.