Phytochemical Screening and <i>In-Vitro</i> Cytotoxic Activities of Methanolic Extracts of <i>Mezoneuron benthamianum</i> Baill. Against Cancer Cells Lines

Abstract Despite the significant gains made in cancer therapy, remains a major cause of global deaths due to rapid drug resistance. Therefore, urgent concerted efforts towards discovery and development newer effective anticancer agents cannot be overemphasized. This study investigated vitro cytotoxicity potential methanol extracts root, stem, leaves Mezoneuron benthamianum . Leaf, stem root samples were collected, authenticated, dried, separately pulverized extracted methanol. The analysed for presence phytochemicals cytotoxic evaluated by tetrazolium 3-(4,5-dimethyl thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl bromide (MTT) colorimetric assay on selected human cells lines, HeLa (cervical cancer) HEp-2 (epidermal carcinoma larynx), using mammalian Vero as negative control. Data generated was subjected descriptive statistics. flavonoids plant between 40 - 67.2% significantly higher ( p &lt; 0.05) compared alkaloids saponins. At concentrations ≥ 50 µg/mL, exhibited 100% cells. leaf with CC 15.64 11.38 µg/mL more HEp-2, respectively. In comparison extracts, extract selectively toxic cell lines than (CC = 28.89 µg/mL). Preliminary investigation reveals that contain bioactive compounds possess promising could exploited.