Antioxidant, antimutagenic, and In vivo buccal mucosa cancer preventive effects of Fructus Malvae

Abstract

Fructus Malvae is functional food known for antioxidant, anti-mutagenic, and in vivo anticancer effects. Fructus Malvae extracts demonstrated high antioxidant activities in DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity assays. In an Ames mutagenicity test, Fructus Malvae exhibited antimutagenicty in association with MNNG (Nmethyl-N’-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine) in Salmonella Typhimurium TA100 cells. U14 squamous carcinoma cells were injected into the buccal mucosa of KM (Kunming) mice. The wound at the injection site was smeared with a Fructus Malvae solution, which was also administered to mice by gavage. Tumor volumes were reduced and tissue section analysis of buccal mucosa cancer and cervical lymph node tissues showed anti-cancer effects in Fructus Malvae treated groups. Fructus Malvae possesses good antioxidant and antimutagenic activities and exerts a preventive effect against buccal mucosa cancer in vivo.