In vitro phytochemical screening, free radical scavenging activity and anticancer activity of Abutilon hirtum (Lam.) sweet (Malvaceae).

The aim of the study was to perform in vitro phytochemical screening, free radical scavenging and anticancer activity of various extracts of Abutilon hirtum (Lam.) Sweet. Abutilon hirtum is a perennial herb commonly called as Indian mallow. Traditionally, the plant leaves are used as demulcent, diuretic and used to treat diarrhoea, bladder inflammations, wounds and ulcers. The preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of various phytoconstituents, in vitro free radical scavenging activity of various crude extracts were determined using DPPH, FRAP, and reducing power assay. Aqueous extract showed the best result in DPPH assay. FRAP activity was maximum in ethyl acetate extract, which was positively co-related with the total phenol and flavonoid content. The aqueous extract of A.hirtum exhibited effective cytotoxic activity towards the human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) with IC50 value 368.7μg/ml. These findings suggest that Abutilon hirtum exhibited potential in vitro free radical scavenging and anticancer activity.