The document presents a study that aims to determine if extracts from the plant Solanum torvum, commonly known as Devil's Fig, contain active ingredients that can treat malignant melanoma cancer cells. The study involves extracting components from the leaves, roots, and fruit of S. torvum and observing their effects on melanoma cell growth in vitro using the Mosaic Blue Assay method. It is hypothesized that the various active ingredients in S. torvum extracts may effectively treat melanoma without severe side effects. The results will show which extract inhibits cell growth the most and identify its active anti-cancer component.

1. Presentation 4
Effect Of Active Ingredients Of
Solanum torvum (Devil’s Fig) For
The Treatment Of Malignant
Melanoma Cells
By: John Muñoz

2. What is Solanum torvum?
• A plant with a height of two to three meters
with a base of five centimeters.
• A shrub usually found in the tropics. Highly
toxic and destructive weed when mature.
On the other hand, the immature fruit is
used for consumption in different
countries.
• Other uses of the plant are for treatment of
diabetes and diverse skin diseases.

3. What is epithelial cancer?
• Epithelial cancer is a dangerous disease if
not detected in time, and treated, could
possibly lead to death. There are three types
of skin cancers:
– Basal carcinoma cancer: which starts in the base
cells of the epidermis and moves down.
– Squamous cell carcinoma: affecting the
squamous cells (top cells of the epidermis).
– Malignant melanoma: is the third type of epithelial
cancer and the most dangerous since it can
spread through the body of the individual, usually
taking root in overgrown moles.

4. Problem
• Is there an Active ingredient in the extract
of Solanum torvum for the treatment of
Malignant melanoma cancer cells?

5. Hypothesis
• The diverse active ingredients in the plant
extract of the Solanum torvum, lead for the
future treatment of Malignant melanoma
without exposing the patient to severe side
effects.

6. Methodology
• The chemical base of the Solanum torvum will be revised for
the possible active ingredients of the plant.
• The extract will be made of all components of the specimen:
leaves, roots, and fruit (immature and ripe).
• Using the extracts I will observe quantitatively, in vitro, the
effect of them in the cancer cells’ growth. Using the method of
Mosaic Blue Assay.
• My control group will be a group of Malignant melanoma cells
growing without the addition of the extracts.
• The experimental group will be Malignant melanoma cells
growing in the Mosaic Blue Assay treated with the extracts of
each extract.
• Analyze the results in the growth of the cells

7. Analyze the results
• I will be checking the growth of the cells with
a florescent plate reader that activates with
the dye used in the Mosaic Blue Array.
• Then I will compare the different components
of the plant. Which extract worked best and
why and the active ingredient of the extract.

8. Picture from: http://www.mosaiclabs.com/test_invitro

9. Reference
Mosaic Laboratories [internet]. [2010] Lake Forest (CA):
Mosaic Laboratories; [cited 2012 July 5] Available in:
http://www.mosaiclabs.com/pics/tests/blue-array.jpg
Philippines medicinal plants [internet]. [2012]
Philippines medicinal plants; [cited 2012 July 5] Available in:
http://www.stuartxchange.com/TandangAso.html
American Cancer Society [internet]. [2012]
American Cancer Society [cited 2012 July 6] Available in:
http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/CancerCauses/SunandUVExposure/skin-cancer-facts
MedicineNet.com [internet]. [N/A]
MedicineNet.com [cited 2012 July 6] Available in:
http://www.medicinenet.com/melanoma/article.htm
United States Department of Agriculture [internet]. [N/A]
United Stated Department of Agriculture [cited 2012 July 7] Available in:
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=SOTO4

10. QUESTIONS?