European Journal of Medicinal Plants

The objective of the undergoing work is investigating antitumor therapy potential and antioxidant capacity of Sudanese medicinal plants Helianthus annuus L. (Asteraceae), Ricinus communis L. (Euphorbiaceae), Nigella sativa L. (Ranunculaceae), Sesamum indicum L. (Pedaliaceae) and Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del (Zygophyllaceae) by studying the plants seeds fixed oils for their cytotoxicity and antioxidant activity. This study was conducted at the Sudan National Research Center, Medicinal & Aromatic Plants Research Center, Khartoum, Sudan, in June-August, 2013. The five fixed oils cytotoxicity was studied using Brine Shrimp Lethality and antioxidant activity by DPPH and Iron Chelating Assays. Obtained results showed that Ricinus communis fixed oil has the highest toxicity with LC₅₀ 1.7014, followed by Nigella sativa with LC₅₀ 606.2, when analyzed by Finney Probit Analysis. Antioxidant activity results of the five fixed oils measured using DPPH showed that Nigella sativa fixed oil showed high antioxidant potential (85%), while Ricinus communis and Helianthus annuus fixed oils showed moderate antioxidant activity (52%) and (51%) respectively. All of the fixed oils showed no activity when using Iron Chelating Assay. Results justify the plants use in folkloric medicine although dosages should be monitored for its safe use. Studies directed towards identification of bioactive compounds are recommended.