Cytotoxic agents for KB and SiHa cells from n-hexane fraction of Cissampelos pareira and its chemical composition

Eleven constituents were characterised by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis, and five molecules were isolated using column chromatography. The in vitro study of the extract and isolated molecules against KB and SiHa cell lines revealed oleanolic acid (1) and oleic acid (2) as potent cytotoxic molecules with potential anticancer activity. The IC50 values of n-hexane extract (CPHF), oleanolic acid (1) and oleic acid (2) were >300, 56.08 and 70.7 mu g/mL (mu M), respectively, against KB cell lines and >300, 47.24 and 80.2 mu g/mL (mu M), respectively, against SiHa cell lines.