Formulation and in Vitro Evaluation of The Anticancer Activity of A Hydrogel Containing A Bioactive Fraction Isolated From A Conventional 50% Ethanolic Whole-Plant Extract of Calotropis Gigantea

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to formulate and evaluate a hydrogel containing a bioactive fraction isolated from a conventional 50% ethanolic whole-plant extract of Calotropis gigantea, with particular emphasis on its in vitro anticancer potential.. The whole plant was subjected to conventional extraction using 50% ethanol, followed by column chromatograpy gradient techniques used for the  fractionations (F1-F4). The isolated fraction was subjected to utilized solvents like ethanol (F1), Petroleum Ether (F2), Ethyl acetate (F3) and Water (F4).  All four fractions done  invitro pharmacological studies and F3 have higher action The bioactive fraction (F3) was incorporated into a suitable hydrogel base using an appropriate formulation technique used to prepared Four formulations( H1-H4). In vitro release and diffusion studies were performed to assess the ability of the hydrogel to deliver the bioactive fraction from the formulation. The anticancer activity of the isolated fraction and/or the formulated hydrogel was investigated using an appropriate in vitro cancer-cell-line model. Cytotoxic activity was assessed at different concentrations, and the percentage of cell inhibition and, where applicable, IC₅₀ values were determined. Appropriate untreated and positive-control groups were included for comparison. The study provides a systematic approach for exploring Calotropis gigantea as a potential source of bioactive compounds and for developing a plant-based hydrogel with promising anticancer activity.