Background Colorectal cancer (CC) is the third most common cancer in the world. Annona reticulata (AR) also known as bullock's heart, is a traditional herb. AR leaf extract was initially investigated for its anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-malarial, anti-helminthic, anti-stress, and wound healing properties. Only a few in vitro cancer studies have been conducted on AR. Although few studies have linked AR leaf extract to many cancers, comprehensive studies addressing regulation, biological functions, and molecular mechanisms leading to CC pathogenesis are clearly lacking. Objectives The present study aimed to explore the antioxidant and anti-cancer potentials of AR leaf extract in CC. Materials and methods The MTT assay was used to test the anti-proliferative activity of AR leaf extract in vitro on the HCT116 cell line. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical characterization was carried out using gas chromatography: mass spectrometry (GC–MS). 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) was used to establish CC model in female Wistar rats. The acute toxicity of AR leaf extract was tested in accordance with OECD guidelines. Aberrant Crypt Foci (ACF) count, organ index, and hematological estimations were used to screen for in vivo anti-cancer potential. The antioxidant activity of colon homogenate was determined. Results The alcoholic leaf extract (IC50, 0.55 μg/ml) was found to be more potent than the aqueous extract. Using GC–MS, a total of 108 compounds were quantified in the alcoholic leaf extract. The LD 50 value was found to be safe at a dose of 98.11 mg/kg of body weight. AR alcoholic leaf extract significantly (p < 0.05) decreased ACF count and normalized colon length/weight ratio. AR leaf extract increased RBC, hemoglobin and platelets levels. The AR alcoholic leaf extract reduced the DMH-induced tumors and significantly (p < 0.05) increased the activity of endogenous antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and decreased the lipid peroxidase activity. AR leaf extract reduced the inflammation caused by DMH and helped to repair the colon's damaged muscle layers. Conclusion Based on the findings from the present study, it can be concluded that the alcoholic leaf extract of AR has antioxidant and anti-proliferative properties and can aid in the prevention of CC development and dysplasia caused by DMH.

The study was conducted to assess the effect of lignocaine and tramadol on healing of Staphylococcus aureus infected incision wound in rats. Incision wounds were created in three groups consisting of six rats in each group. The rats were infected with Staphylococcus aureus inoculum and the incision was closed. The rats were treated according to their group – Group I (Normal saline), Group II (2% Lignocaine) and Group III (5% Tramadol). All the drugs were applied topically, once a day for 10 days. The parameters measured to evaluate the wound healing was breaking strength, Colony Forming Units/ mL (CFU/ mL) of the tissue and histopathological examination. Data analysis was by one-way (Analysis of Variance) ANOVA followed by post hoc Tukey’s test. A significant difference (p<0.05 vs control) in the breaking strength and CFU/mL of tissue was observed between the control Group I and the test groups, Group II (2%lignocaine) and Group III (5% tramadol) when the drugs were used topically. Histopathological study did not show much difference in the morphology between the control and other groups, it revealed disorganised collagen fibres. This study suggests that lignocaine and tramadol do not impede healing of infected incision wound.