Available online at www.derpharmachemica.com ISSN 0975-413X CODEN (USA): PCHHAX Der PharmaChemica, 2016, 8(19):396-402 (http://derpharmachemica.com/archive.html) 396 In vitro and In vivo Evaluation of Sida Acuta burm.f. (Malvaceae) for its Anti-oxidant and Anti-Cancer Activity Mahesh Thondawada a* , Shashank Mulukutla b , Kalidhindi Rama Satyanarayana Raju b , Dhanabal S. P c and Ashish Devidas Wadhwani a a Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, JSS College of Pharmacy (Off campus, JSS University, Mysore), Ootacamund, Tamilnadu, India . b Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy (Off campus, JSS University, Mysore), Ootacamund, Tamilnadu, India c Department of Pharmacognosy and Phytopharmacy, JSS College of Pharmacy (Off campus, JSS University, Mysore), Ootacamund, Tamilnadu, India _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT Sida acuta Burm.f. (Malvaceae) is known for its high flavonoid content and potent antioxidant activity.The present study was designated to evaluate the various extracts of Sida acuta burm.f. (Malvaceae) in vitro for its radical scavenging activity,cytotoxicity,short term and long term in vivo anticancer activity.The extracts were evaluated for their anti-cancer activity through DPPH assay, Cytotoxicity by MTT and SRB assays in Vero, HEP-2, A-549 and HeLa cell lines followed by short term toxicity studies on Dalton’s Lymphoma Ascites (DLA) and Ehrlich’s Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) cells.The results showed the significant decrease of the viability of the cells in a concentration- dependent manner. According to the IC 50 obtained, the chloroform and toluene extracts of S. acuta showed significant antiproliferative activitywhich was further evaluated in vivo. The results revealed a dose dependent increase in lifespan and mean survival time in the animals treated with chloroform and toulene extracts. However, animals treated with 200 mg/kg dose level showed significant improvement.In conclusion, Sida Acuta burm.f. possesses significant anti cancer potential and needs to be further evaluated by isolating key phytochemicals and investigating the proteins that play a major role in this activity. Keywords: Cytotoxicity, DLA, EAC, DPPH, Free Radical Scavenging, Cancer _____________________________________________________________________________________________ INTRODUCTION Cancer, a disease in which a cell or a group of cells display uncontrolled proliferation, invasion and sometimes metastasis contributes to a multitude of abnormalities in the normal functioning of the body. It affects people of all ages with the risk for most types increasing with age. Majority of its occurrence is due to lifestyle and environmental factors while 5-10% is attributed to genetics. Genetic abnormalities found in cancer typically affect two general classes of genes. Cancer-promoting oncogenes are typically activated in cancer cells, giving those cells new properties, such as hyperactive growth and division, protection against programmed cell death, loss of respect for normal tissue boundaries, and the ability to become established in diverse tissue environments. Tumor controlled genes are then inactivated in cancer cells, resulting in the loss of normal functions in them, such as accurate DNA replication, control over the cell cycle, orientation and adhesion within tissues, and interaction with protective cells of the immune system.