Evaluation of anticancer potential of Eleusine indica methanolic leaf extract through Ras- and Wnt-related pathways using transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans strains

Abstract

Background: In the Philippines, many accounts have resurfaced claiming different herbal and therapeutic advantages of Eleusine indica. One of these advantages is its anticancer potential. Despite some studies showing that the crude extract has cytotoxic and radical scavenging activity, it is still insufficient and further scientific evidence is needed to support this claim. Aim: Hence, we evaluate the anticancer potential of E. indic a methanolic leaf extract (EMLE) by focusing on two cancer-related pathways, Ras and Wnt pathways. Subjects and Methods: We used wild-type and transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans strains which have an irregular Ras or Wnt signaling. We determined the average number of eggs laid of each strain and the multivulva development of the Ras-mutant strain. Results: Our experiments show that EMLE does not affect the number of eggs laid of the wild-type, Ras-mutant-and Wnt-mutant worms. Furthermore, EMLE was not able to reduce Ras-mutant population demonstrating multi-vulva. Conclusion: Taken together, our data suggest that the anticancer potential of EMLE may be independent of Ras and Wnt signaling pathways.