Antitumor Activity of Dendrophthoe falcata against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma in Swiss Albino Mice

ABSTRACT

The objective of the present study is to explore the anticancer activity of the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the Dendrophthoe falcata in Swiss albino mice against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) cell line. Anticancer activity of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of D. falcata was evaluated in EAC Swiss albino mice at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight orally. Both extracts at both doses were administered for 13 consecutive days. After 24 h of the last dose and then eighteen hours of fasting, the mice were sacrificed and antitumor effect of ethanolic and aqueous extracts was assessed by evaluating tumor volume, viable and nonviable tumor cell count, tumor weight and hematological parameters of EAC bearing host. Ethanolic and aqueous extracts showed significant decrease in (p<0.0001) tumor volume, viable cell count, tumor weight and elevated the life span of EAC tumor bearing mice. Haematological profiles such as red blood cell (RBC), haemoglobin, and white blood cell (WBC) count reverted to normal level in treated mice. The results demonstrated that the extract has potent dose dependent anticancer activity comparable to that of cisplatin. Aqueous extract at both doses (200 and 400 mg/kg) and ethanolic extract at 400 mg/kg dose showed potent anticancer activity.