University of Puerto Rico at Cayey, Biology Department Research Proposal

John Edward Muñoz Torres 804-12-5027

I. Title:

Effect Of Active Ingredients Of Solanumtorvum (Devil’s Fig) For The Treatment Of

Malignant Melanoma Cells

II. Abstract:

Malignant melanoma is a possibly fatal disease if not diagnosed in time. Treatment for this

cancer includes removal of the tumor and chemotherapy. The Solanumtorvumis a plant

that grows rapidly that is known to have healing properties on diverse skin diseases and

treatment of diabetes. Is there a way to treat malignant melanoma with diverse extracts of

Solanumtorvum? By producing multiple extracts using fresh plant components(the roots,

leaves, and fruit), since dry components lose their essential chemical base, we can find an

active ingredient capable of replacing the chemotherapy used for treatment reducing the

mayor side effects patients face when exposed. A technique known as Mosaic Blue Assay

will be used since it determines the possibility of effectiveness on a person in the

controlled environment of in vitro.

III. Introduction:

Solanumtorvum(Devil’s fig) is a highly toxic fruit when consumed in high quantities.This

plant is green when fresh and turns a yellow color when ripe. The shrub is usually two to

three meters in height with a base diameter of five centimeters. This fruit is known to lower

blood pressure, and good for the treatment of diabetes. Another function of the fruit in

Yucatan is for the treatment of diverse skin diseases. Many different cultures have their

use for this plant that is found in most tropical climates including Hawaii, Florida, Mexico,

and Puerto Rico. Devil’s fig with this trait could be used for the treatment of epithelial skin

diseases, such as malignant melanoma cancer.

IV. Methodology

Solanumtorvum is being used for this experiment due to its capacity to reproduce at high

speeds in great quantities. This plant is also known to have many medicinal properties in

different countries. There will be multiple extracts of the plant using the roots, leaves and

fruit in a fresh state, if dried it loses most of its chemical base not permitting for a controlled

experiment. Mosaic Blue Assay is a procedure that allows for one to have multiple cultures

that are divided mechanically into designated regions in the soft agar, with different

experimental groups in a controlled environment the extracts are added and cultivated

over a period of 4 days. The Blue dye is added to determine the quantity of cells that

survived to the extract allowing for easier identification. This procedure also verifies if the

treatment used on the cells will be effective on the patient. In case the extract does not

stop or reduce the growth of the malignant melanoma cells the experiment will have less

than 1 percent of success on the patient.

V. Results:

After the completion of the four days, the growth of the cells will be measured and the

different extracts compared to see which one was more productive in the reduction of

growth on the malignant melanoma cells.

VI. References:

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