Evaluation of anti-cancer potential of aqueous extract of Pandanus odoratissimus (Y.Kimura) Hatus. forma ferreus, by in vivo ascitic tumor model in swiss albino mice

Abstract

Background: India is a rich source of medicinal plants and number of plant extracts are used against diseases in various systems of medicine such as ayurveda, unani and siddha where only a few of them were scientifically explored. Objective: The objective of the present study was undertaken to perform dose dependent anti-cancer effect of aqueous and methanolic extracts of P. odoratissimus roots and leaves whose scientific documentation for anti-tumor agent is lacking despite using traditionally. Materials and Methods: The anti-cancer activity of methanolic extract of P. odoratissimus (MEPO) and aqueous extract of P. odoratissimus (AEPO) were tested against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma induced liquid tumors in swiss albino mice. The degree of protection was determined by change in body weight (gm), tumour volume (ml), packed cell volume (ml), cell viability (%), hematological parameters (R.B.C, W.B.C and hemoglobin content), mean survival time (MST), % increase in lifespan (% ILS) and histopathological observation of part of peritoneal layer. Results: The treatment with AEPO 400mg/kg, p.o. in EAC treated mice reduced tumor volume, packed cell volume, body weight, cell viability and improved all hematological parameters, mean survival time and life span. Histopathological changes showed degenerative changes of tumor cells in peritoneal layer. The anti-cancer effects of AEPO 400mg/kg, p.o. are equally more with that of the standard drug cisplatin. Conclusion:The results suggested that aqueous extract of roots and leaves of P. odoratissimus possess in vivo anti-cancer activity comparable to cisplatin and this study scientifically validated the traditional use of this plant. Keywords INTRODUCTIONThere is a growing interest in the pharmacological evaluation of various plants used in indian traditional systems of medicine. Pandanus odoratissimus (Pandanaceae) is one of such plants, distributed commonly throughout india. In ayurveda, unani and siddha the leaves are used for treating back ache, rheumatic diseases, epilepsy, wound healing, nervous disorders, loss of appetite, indigestion, constipation, diabetes, infertility, skin diseases, urinary disorders and fever.[1] The plant is known to possess a broad spectrum of medicinal, pharmacological and therapeutic properties. Tribals believe that this herb is an effective remedy for wide range of illnesses.[2]Leaves of Pandanus plants contain alkaloids such as pandanamine, pandamerilactones with pyrroline derived structures as major chemical constituent [3] and was found to possess anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic activities. [4][5][6] In ayurveda paste of P. odoratissimus with sugar is used for treating cancers.[7] Active principles of methanolic extract of whole plant are 3-(4-(dimethylamino)cinnamoyyl)-4-hydroxycomarin, 3,3'-methylenebis (4-hydroxycomarin), erythro-9,10-dihydroxyoctadecanoic acid, octadecanedioic acid and dihydroagathic acid. [8] Recently, the acute and subacute toxicological studies on methanolic extract of P. odoratissimus did no...

Phytochemical Profile, Free Radical Scavenging Activity and Anticancer Potential of Pandanus odoratissimus Leaves Ethanol Extract

“…The present findings of the study agreed with Raj et al (2014b) that P. odoratissimus could inhibit cell proliferation. The previous study showed that P. odoratissimus could significantly reduce calu-6-cells from proliferation without affecting the normal lung fibroblast cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells.…”

“…Londonkar and Kamble (2009) reported a high percent 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) inhibition of the leaves of P. odoratissimus; they made use of methanol as an extracting solvent. Some previous experimental studies on the aqueous extract of P. odoratissimus demonstrated its anticancer activity against cancer cell lines in vitro and in vivo (Raj et al, 2014a(Raj et al, , 2014b. Raj et al (2014a) studied the dried parts of roots and leaves of the plant extracted with methanol and water.…”