Melilotus indicus
(L.) All. is known
to have anti-inflammatory
and anticancer properties. The present study explored the
in vivo
skin carcinogenesis attenuating potential of ethanolic
extract of
M. indicus
(L.) All. (Miet) in a 7,12-dimethylbenz[
a
]anthracene (DMBA)-induced skin cancer model. The ethanolic
extract of the plant was prepared by a maceration method. HPLC analysis
indicated the presence of quercetin in abundance and also various
other phytoconstituents. DPPH radical scavenging assay results showed
moderate antioxidant potential (IC
50
= 93.55 ± 5.59
μg/mL). A topical acute skin irritation study showed the nonirritant
nature of Miet. Data for the skin carcinogenic model showed marked
improvement in skin architecture in Miet and its primary phytochemicals
(quercetin and coumarin) treated groups. Miet 50% showed comparable
effects with 5-fluorouracil. Significant (
p
<
0.05) anticancerous effects were seen in coumarin–quercetin
combination-treated animals than in single agent (coumarin and quercetin
alone)-treated animals. Chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay results
showed the antiangiogenic potential of Miet. Treatment with Miet significantly
down-regulated the serum levels of CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen)
and TNF-α (Tumor necrosis factor-α). Data for the docking
study indicated the binding potential of quercetin and coumarin with
TNF-α, EGFR, VEGF, and BCL2 proteins. Thus, it is concluded
that Miet has skin cancer attenuating potential that is proposed to
be due to the synergistic actions of its bioactive molecules. Further
studies to explore the effects of Miet and its bioactive molecules
as an adjuvant therapy with low dose anticancer drugs are warranted,
which may lead to a new area of research.
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