Evaluation of anti-cancer activity of Tinospora cordifolia on experimentally induced spontaneous fibrosarcoma in Swiss albino mice

Abstract

Tinospora cordifolia, an Indian medicinal plant, was used to evaluate anti-cancer activity against spontaneous fibrosarcoma in Swiss albino mice. The qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis was done in hydroethanolic extract using physical tests and GC-MS study, respectively. Hundred Swiss albino female mice of eight week age were divided into 5 groups containing 20 mice each. Group A acted as normal control without tumor. In four groups B-E, fibrosarcoma was induced by tissue grafting method. Group B was kept without any treatment and served as tumor control. Group C was treated with hydroethanolic extract of T. cordifolia stem (at the rate 400mg/kg) for 30 days. Group D was treated with standard chemotherapeutic drug Paclitaxel (at the rate 5 mg/kg) alternate days. Group E was treated with both hydroethanolic extract of T. cordifolia stem (at the rate 400mg/ kg) for 30 days and Paclitaxel drug (5 mg/kg)in alternate days. We assessed the mean tumor volume, tumor doubling time, sur-vivability and percent increase in lifespan. These parameters revealed the anti-tumor activity of T. cordifolia against fibrosarcoma. In treatment groups, the histological alterations in neoplastic tissues were alternate patches of multiplying and necrotic tissues, vacuolation in tissues, and apoptotic changes. In T. cordifolia and combined treatment changes were more marked better than paclitaxel treatment. Post observational period upto 90 days revealed a good survival rate in combined treatment followed by T. cordifolia and paclitaxel treatment. The present data strongly suggested that the Tinosporacordifolia extract has anti-tumor potential and the combination therapy can be a good strategy to combat fibrosarcoma.