A polyphenolic compound rottlerin demonstrates significant in vitro cytotoxicity against human cancer cell lines: isolation and characterization from the fruits of Mallotus philippinensis

In vitro assay for cytotoxic activity of glands/hairs obtained from the fruits of Mallotus philippinensis has been carried out against 14 human cancer cell lines from nine different origins via 95% ethanolic, 50% ethanolic and aqueous extract at the concentration of 100 μg/ml. Results revealed that the 95% ethanolic extract showed highest in vitro cytotoxic effect against all the 14 human cancer cell lines. The fractions of the same extract i.e. 95% ethanolic were obtained and it was found that the significant cytotoxic potential was produced by the chloroform soluble fraction at 100 μg/ml as this fraction inhibited the growth of ten human cancer cell lines from seven different tissues. Further, the chromatographic analysis of the said fraction afforded a polyphenolic molecule rottlerin. This drug at the concentration of 1?×?10^?5M and 1?×?10^?4M suppressed the proliferation of eight human cancer cell lines from six different tissues and proved its exceptionally remarkable in vitro anticancer efficiency.