Phytochemical investigation and antitumour activity of Euphorbia hirta Linn

Euphorbia hirta L. (Family: Euphorbiaceae) is a small herb which grows throughout the hotter part of India. The ethanol, chloroform and pet ether extract of Euphorbia hirta L. showed the positive test for tannin, saponin, alkaloids, flavonoids. Antitumour activity of the aerial part of Euphorbia hirta L. has been evaluated against EL-4 cell line (S.C.) in Swiss albino mice. A significant enhancement of mean survival time and reduction of solid tumor mass of Euphorbia hirta L. treated tumour bearing mice was found with respect to control group due to the presence of flavonoids.