Antitumor activity of total alkaloid fraction of solanum pseudocapsicum leaves

The total alkaloid fraction of the methanolic extract of Solanum pseudocapsicum leaves was tested for its in-vivo antitumor activity against Dalton's Lymphoma Ascites model in mice. The total alkaloid fraction at 2.5 and 5.0 mg/kg body weight doses exhibited antitumor activity as revealed by the significant increase in the mean survival time and the percentage increase in life span of tumor bearing mice. The antitumor activity observed may be due to its cytotoxic properties. However the treatment caused a significant decrease in the body weight below the normal indicating the toxicity of the treatment.