Topical delivery of methanolic root extract of Annona reticulata against skin cancer

Abstract

Skin cancer is among one of most the commonly occurring type of cancers in humans and usually caused by high exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The extract from different parts of the plant Annona reticulata is reported to have anti-proliferative and cytotoxic activity. The current therapy for skin cancer has various side effects; topical delivery of methanolic root extract of Annona reticulata can be considered to be an innovative approach. The present study is an attempt to formulate a topical gel loaded with methanolic root extract of Annona reticulata for the treatment of skin cancer. The methanolic root extract was prepared and subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening as well as volatile component analysis using GC–MS. The in-vitro SRB assay was conducted by using B16-F10 for anti-melanoma activity. The topical gel loaded with methanolic extract was evaluated for its physicochemical properties and further evaluated for in-vivo anti-cancer efficacy and histological study. The phytochemical screening of the extract presented with alkaloid, acetogenins, carbohydrate, flavonoid, tannin and protein while the GC–MS analysis had the presence of 46 differnt components. The extract cytotoxicity at concentration of 15 ± 1.4 μg/mL. The methanolic root extract was found to be compatible and formed a homogenous gel and the histopathological study clearly shows the efficacy of the gel in the treatment of skin cancer. The outcomes from both the in-vitro and in-vivo studies of methanolic root extract loaded carbopol gel is important as it has the potential to treat skin cancer.