Onyancha, J. M.Gikonyo, N. K.Wachira, S. W.Gicheru, M. M.2021-05-072021-05-072019Onyancha JM, Gikonyo NK, Wachira SW, Gicheru MM. Isolation and antiproliferative characterisation of bergenin from root extract of Uvariodendron anisatum Verdec (Annonaceae). Drug Discovery, 2019, 13, 55-782278–540Xhttp://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/22111Uvariodendron anisatum (annonaceae) is a rare, endemic and indigenous medicinal plant in Kenya. The plant root decoction is used to remove placenta in women if it is retained during child deliveries. It is also known to management of impotency in men. Despite this folkloric claim, information about phytochemical composition and biological activities are needed. The objective of this study ANALYSIS Vol.13, 2019 DRUG DISCOVERY ISSN 2278–540X EISSN 2278–5396 Page55 © 2019 Discovery Publication. All Rights Reserved. www.discoveryjournals.org OPEN ACCESS ARTICLE ANALYSIS was to carryout isolation and antiproliferative characterisation of methanol extract of the whole root, fractions thereof and isolated compound. Extract was prepared by maceration using methanol. Fractions of petroleum ether, dichloromethane, ethylacetate, acetone and methanol were prepared by column chromatography. The compound was achieved by column and thin layer chromatography and structural elucidation was done using spectral data and comparison with published literature. Methyl thiazole tetrazolium (MTT) assay was used to study the effects of the extract, fractions and isolated compound against cancers of the prostate and breast (DU-145 and HCC 1395 respectively). Vero cells were used as a control celline. The isolated compound was identified as anhydrous bergenin. The extract revealed high antiproliferative effects against normal cell line (CC50 = 3.3±0.2µg/ml) whereas it was moderately antiproliferative against prostate and breast cancer cell lines (IC50 =.81.7±3.9 and 50.6±2.9µg/ml) respectively. Polar fractions revealed weak antiproliferative effects whereas the non polar fractions and the isolated compounds did not reveal antiproliferative effects against cancer and normal cell lines. It was concluded that the extract of U. Anisatum was highly antiproliferative against normal cell line but moderately cytotoxic against prostate and breats cancer cell lines. The antiproliferaive effects were not attributed to bergenin and it was recommended that continued isolation and bioassay studies are necessary to determine the compounds that are responsible for antiproliferative effects.enAnnonaceaeCell linesChromatographyFractionationKenyaMedicinal plantsSpectroscopyArticle