In vitro evaluation of the cytotoxicity of starch from curcuma comosa rhizomes

Abstract

Results: The results demonstrated that the starch solutions at low concentrations (0.001, 0.01, 0.1 and 5 µg/ml) were not toxic to either type of cells, while at high concentrations (10, 50 and 100 µg/ml) they might be toxic.Conclusions: The starch from C. comosa rhizomes at lower concentration is safe to HepG2 and Jurkat T cells, and should be further investigated for biocompatibility by using appropriate cell models and methods before developing it for use in pharmaceutical applications.Materials and methods: The starch powder of C. comosa rhizomes was provided from a previous research project on the isolation and characterization of starch from the rhizomes of plants in the Ginger family (Zingiberaceae). Various concentrations of C. comosa starch solution were prepared and investigated for cytotoxicity effects in both HepG2 and Jurkat T cell lines after 24, 48 and 72 h incubation by using an 3-(4,5-dimethyl thiazol-2-yl)-2,5diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and the trypan blue exclusion test method.Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity of the starch from Curcuma comosa rhizomes in HepG2 and Jurkat T cells. © 2004, Walailak Journal of Science & Technology. All rights reserved.