Sonchus asper (L.) Hill belongs to family Asteraceae andlocally named as Mahtari used in the treatment of liver injuries 1 , protease inhibition and in the prevention of squamous cellcarcinoma of esophagus 2 as well as in human colorectal cancer 3 . This herb has also been credited in a variety of human disorder including wounds and burns 4 cough, bronchitis and asthma 5 , gastrointestinal infection, inflammation, diabetes and cardiac dysfunction 6 , kidney and liver disorders 7 , reproductive disorder like impotence (erectile dysfunction) in humans 8 , jaundice 9 and cancer 3 . Besides its pharmacological behavior, S. asper also contains secondary metabolites like flavonoids 10 , terpenes and glycosides 11 .
EXPERIMENTALThe plant Sonchus asper was collected at Parachinar Kurram Agency, Khyber Pukhtunkhwa (N.W.F.P) Pakistan, in July, 2009 and was identified by a plant taxonomist. As the field from where the plant has been collected was open, no authority was responsible to issue permission and the study did not involve endangered and protected species. Likewise there was no restriction from land owner on usability of this specie and the permission was given from the land owner for