Anticancer potential of Chenopodium album leaf extract against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells in Swiss albino mice

Abstract

Background Chenopodium album (Family: Amaranthaceae) is a nutritive herb mainly found in Bangladesh and had reported that it is having different bioactive phytochemicals including polyphenols. It has a great popularity for it is traditionally used as a medicine against microorganisms, inflammation, and cancer. We designed this experiment to explore the in vivo anticancer effects of C. album leaf extract against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells in Swiss albino mice. Results Administration of C. album leaf extract at concentration 200 (mg/kg) and 400 (mg/kg) showed 30.60% and 41.80% cell growth inhibition respectively that were statistically significant (***P < 0.001) and may lead to apoptosis, and the number of apoptotic cells were 37.5 ± 6.22, 54.67 ± 4.76 respectively (***P < 0.001). Plant extract at concentration 200 (mg/kg) and 400 (mg/kg) increased life span 22.27% and 51.07% respectively. Tumor weight decreased 18.50 ± 2.59 g, 13.67 ± 2.25 g respectively compared to the control group, and results were statistically significant (***P < 0.001). Treatment with plant extract 200 (mg/kg) and 400 (mg/kg) restored all biochemical parameters including hemoglobin content, white blood cell (WBC) count, and red blood cell (RBC) count of EAC cells bearing Swiss albino mice. Conclusion Our current findings may suggest that C. album leaf extract showed potent anticancer activity through cell growth inhibition and apoptosis, increased mean survival time, decreased tumor weight, and restored all the biochemical parameters and stimulation of host immunity. As a result, the C. album leaf has taken into consideration as a potent source of bioactive compounds in cancer chemotherapy.

A Compiled Update on Nutrition, Phytochemicals, Processing Effects, Analytical Testing and Health Effects of Chenopodium album: A Non-Conventional Edible Plant (NCEP)

“…The inhibition of cell growth, a decrease in tumor weight, increase in mean survival time, and induction of apoptosis were all concluded to be contributors to the anticancer effect. Plant-sourced lectins are known to instigate apoptosis and autophagy of cancer cells [ 157 ]. In a study, lectin (175 µg/mL) isolated from C. album seeds showed strong anti-cancerous potential in hepatoma HepG2 cells as evinced by significantly decreased transcription levels of AFP and GPC3 levels by 90% and 89%, respectively [ 158 ].…”

Untitled

“…It is also useful in peptic ulcers, dyspepsia, laxative, aphrodisiac, tonic flatulence, strangulation, pharyngopathy, splenopathy, opthalmopathy and general debility 23 . Various pharmacological activities were reported for C. album, such as antipruritic, analgesic 24 , antiinflammatory 25 , anticancer 26 , hepatoprotective 27 , antibacterial 28 , anthelminthic 29 , antiulcer 30, etc. In virtue of the above findings, our current investigation is aimed to determine the total phenolic, flavonoid, saponin content of various fractions of aerial parts of Achyranthes aspera and Chenopodium album along with their detailed antioxidant screening in four in-vitro models viz., DPPH assay, NO reducing assay, reducing power assay and total antioxidant activity.…”