Anti-carcinoma Activity of Polyphenolic Extract of Ichnocarpus frutescens

Abstract

Dietary polyphenol antioxidants are known to decrease the risk of many diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases [1]. In this study polyphenolic extract (PPE) of leaves of Ichnocarpus frutescens was evaluated for antitumor activity in vivo. Murine Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) model was used to assess PPE antitumor activity in vivo [2]. PPE cytotoxicity was determined in vitro in U-937 monocytoid leukemia and K-562 erythroleukemia cell lines. The total phenolics content was quantified by the Folin-Ciocalteu method [3]. Results of in vivo study showed a significant decrease in tumor volume, viable tumor cell count and a significant increase of life span in the PPE treated group compared to untreated one: the life span of PPE treated animals increased by 53.41% (50 mg PPE/kg) and 73.95% (100 mg PPE/kg). PPE (5, 10 and 20 µg/mL) effectively inhibits in vitro proliferation of U-937 and K-562 cell lines. The in vitro and in vivo anti-tumor activity of PPE from Ichnocarpus frutescens could be due to rich polyphenols and flavonoids [4]. Acknowledgements: All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE), Government of India, New Delhi, India is greatly acknowledged.