Antitumor Potential of Ethyl Acetate Extract of Kirganelia reticulata Against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma Tumor

Abstract

Kirganelia reticulata (Poir) Baill (Poir) (Euphorbiaceae) contains octacosonal, texerol acetate, berulin, sitosterol, flavonoid, tannins, glycosides, and alkaloids. It has been used as folk medicine for cancer, arthritis etc. Antitumor screening of ethyl acetate extract of Kirganelia reticulata stem (KREE) was carried out against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma tumor in Swiss albino mice at the dose of 200, 300 and 500 mg/kg, body weight. The extract was administered orally for 14 consecutive days to tumor bearing mice. The antitumor potential of KREE was assessed by evaluating increase in life span, average increase in body weight, changes in food intake, reduction in tumor volume, reduction in tumor weight, viable cell count, non-viable cell count, packed cell volume, total cell count and haematological and biochemical parameters were studied. The phytochemical analysis of extracts of K. reticulata confirmed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoid, tannins and phenolic compounds. Flavonoid content in KREE was found 3.07 ± 0.42 mg/g. The KREE inhibits the tumor growth (MIC-200 mg/kg). The viability of tumor cells decreased up to 3.9 x 107 cells in KREE treated cells (200 mg/ml). The decrease in tumor cell volume in tumor bearing mice treated with KREE doses 200, 300 and 500 mg/kg and 5- FU (20 mg/kg) was found to be 4.2 ± 0.8, 3.6 ± 1, 2.5 ± 1 and 2.4 ± 1 g respectively. The KREE increases the life span of EAC treated mice and restored the hematological parameters in a dose dependent manner.