Antitumor effect of Careya arborea against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma with reference to lipid peroxidation and enzymatic and non enzymatic antioxidant system in Swiss albino mice

Abstract

SUMMARYThe methanol extract of stem barks of Careya arborea Roxb. (MECA) (Family-Myrtaceae) was evaluated for antitumor activity and antioxidant status against Ehrlich's Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) bearing Swiss albino mice. After 24 h of tumor inoculation the MECA was administered at the doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight/mice/day for 14 days. After the last dose and 18 h fasting mice were sacrificed. The effect of MECA on the growth of transplantable murine tumor, life span of EAC bearing hosts, hematological profiles, serum and liver biochemical parameters were estimated. The MECA showed significant (P < 0.01) decrease in ascites volume, packed cell volume and viable cell count and prolonged the life span of EAC tumor bearing mice. Hematological profiles reverted to more or less normal levels in extract treated mice. The MECA also produced protective effect by decreasing the activity of serum enzymes, bilirubin and increase the protein and uric acid levels. MECA significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the levels of lipid peroxidation, while significantly (P < 0.05) increased the levels of glutathione content, vitamin C, vitamin E, superoxide dismutase and catalase CAT. The results indicate that MECA exhibited significant antitumor and antioxidant activity in EAC bearing mice.

Pharmacognostic studies of the leaves and stem of Careya arborea Roxb.

“…Leaf paste and pulp used as poultice rapidly heals ulcers and root is used for the treatment of tuberculosis and skeletal fractures [2,3] . C. arborea is reported to possess in vitro cytotoxic activity [4] , antitumor effect [5,6] , N-nitrosodiethylamine induced hepatocarcinogenesis [7] , CNS depressant [8] , anticoagulant [9] and antioxidant activity [10] . Leaf extract is used as an indicator in acid base titration [11] .…”

CNS activity of the methanol extracts of Careya arborea in experimental animal model

“…The tribal peoples of Kolli Hills of Tamil Nadu used the stem bark of the plant for the treatment of various tumor and liver disorders. Previous report from our laboratory showed hepatoprotective and anti-oxidant activity (Sambath Kumar et al, 2005a), antimicrobial and in vitro anti-oxidant activity (Sambath Kumar et al, 2006), anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity (Sambath Kumar et al, 2005b), anti-tumor and anti-oxidant activities of methanol extract of C. arborea (Sambath Kumar et al, 2008a) and N-nitrosodiethylamine-induced hepatocarcinogenesis (Sambath Kumar, 2008b).…”