Growth inhibition and apoptosis of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells by the methanol extract ofEucalyptus camaldulensis

Abstract

Context: Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. (Myrtaceae) is a tall evergreen tree found commonly in Bangladesh. Its use in traditional folk medicine for the treatment of various health complications are well known. Objective: To explore the in vivo antitumor effect of Eucalyptus camaldulensis stem bark methanol extract (ME) against Ehrlich's ascites carcinoma (EAC) in Swiss albino mice. Materials and methods: The antitumor activity of ME was studied by determining viable tumor cell count, recording tumor weight and survival time, observing morphological changes and nuclear damage of EAC cells, and estimating hematological as well as biochemical parameters of experimental mice (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg/day for 5 d, i.p.). Results: ME showed 96% (p50.001) cell growth inhibition and reduced tumor burden significantly (81.4%; p50.01) when compared with control mice. It also increased the lifespan of EAC-bearing mice significantly (71.36%; p50.01). It also restored the altered hematological and biochemical parameters towards normal level. The high LD 50 value (1120 mg/kg) of ME indicated its low host toxic effects. ME-treated EAC cells showed membrane blebbing, chromatin condensation, nuclear fragmentation (apoptotic features) in Hoechst 33342 staining under fluorescence microscope. The DNA profile in agarose gel (1.5%) electrophoresis also confirmed that ME caused EAC cell death by apoptosis. Discussion and conclusion: Results showed that ME exhibits strong anticancer activity through apoptosis and stimulation of host immunity. Thus, E. camaldulensis may be considered as a promising resource in cancer chemotherapy.

The pharmacological and therapeutic importance of Eucalyptus species grown in Iraq

“…Eucalyptus camaldulensis stem bark methanol extract -treated EAC cells showed membrane blebbing, chromatin condensation, nuclear fragmentation (apoptotic features) in Hoechst 33342 staining under fluorescence microscope. The DNA profile in agarose gel (1.5%) electrophoresis also confirmed that Eucalyptus camaldulensis stem bark methanol extract caused EAC cell death by apoptosis [134].…”

A p‐Menth‐1‐ene‐4,7‐diol (EC‐1) from Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dhnh. Triggers Apoptosis and Cell Cycle Changes in Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma Cells

“…DNA fragmentation assay. DNA fragmentation assay by agarose gel electrophoresis was determined by the method described previously (Islam et al, 2014a). EAC cells were collected from mice treated with (five consecutive days at 2.0 mg/kg/day) and without the compound EC-1.…”

“…Our group has previously reported that petroleum ether and methanol extracts of this plant exhibit promising anticancer activity against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells in Swiss albino mice in a dose-dependent manner Islam et al, 2014a). These results inspired us to develop compound of natural origin with anticancer effect.…”

Antimicrobial activity of Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehn. plant extracts and essential oils: A review

“…The safe daily oral dose in human adults is 300-600 mg, while semisolid preparations for topical use may contain 5-20% of Eucalyptus oil (Blumenthal and Busse, 1998;Tisserand and Young, 2014). Similarly, E. camaldulensis bark methanolic extract LD50 value for Swiss albino mice (Mus musculus) is very high -1120 mg/kg, indicating its low host toxic effects (Islam et al, 2014). The low toxicity and natural origin of E. camaldulensis essential oil and extracts, in contrast to synthetic antimicrobials, favor their application as antimicrobial agents.…”

“…Crude methanol leaf extracts of E. camaldulensis from Iran had saponins, tannins, volatile oils, and balsam (gum), while the components such as anthraquinones, hydrolysable tannin, flavonoid, alkaloid, and glycosides were not detected (Jouki and Khazaei, 2010); crude methanolic leaves extract of E. camaldulensis from India contained anthraquinones, flavonoids, saponins, and terpenoids, while alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, and tannins were not detected (Singh and Thakur, 2016). Phytochemical screening of the crude stem barks methanol extract of E. camaldulensis from Bangladesh indicated presence of saponins, flavonoids, tannins, and also volatile oils, while anthraquinones, hydrolysable tannins, alkaloids, and glycosides were not present (Islam et al, 2014). The polyphenolic composition (flavonoids and phenolic acids and aldehydes) also was studied in the soluble fractions of the methanolic extracts of Eucalyptus camaldulensis originating from two Spain provinces, Huelva and Pontevedra: gallic, protocatechuic, vanillic and ellagic acids, and protocatechic aldehyde were identified, along with eriodictyol, quercetin, naringenin, vanillin, naringin, quercitrin, luteolin, and kaempferol (Cadahia et al, 1997).…”