Therapeutic Potential of Standardized Extract of Melilotus indicus (L.) All. and Its Phytochemicals against Skin Cancer in Animal Model: In Vitro, In Vivo, and In Silico Studies

Abstract

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.

Dose Dependent Effects of Aqueous Extract of Garcinia cambogia Desr. Against Letrozole Induced Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in Female Adult Rats With Possible Mechanisms Exploration

“…5 People are interested in herbal therapies due to aforementioned negative effects of conventional therapies. [11][12][13] Pharmacological and therapeutic efficiency of herbal drugs is attributable due to the existence of many phytoconstituents, which may be utilized to treat a variety of ailments. [14][15][16] Herbal therapies for PCOS have been reported to be quite effective in reducing hyperandrogenism, obesity and improving ovulation and insulin sensitivity with no major side effects.…”

Therapeutic Investigation of Standardized Aqueous Methanolic Extract of Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia L.) for Its Potential against Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in Experimental Animals’ Model: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

“…In recent times, we have seen health care systems that recognized the importance of food-based, alternative, and complimentary medicines. This incline is might be due to better awareness of toxicity profile of all the above allopathic regimens or due to higher cost [ 14 , 15 ]. Phytochemicals present in herbal remedies and medicinal plant are source of therapeutic effectiveness against the ailment such as PCOS [ 16 , 17 ].…”

Phytochemical, Antioxidant Activity, and Toxicity of Wild Medicinal Plant of Melitotus albus Extracts, In Vitro and In Silico Approaches

“…Another phytochemical study of Melilotus indicus, belonging to the same plant genus, revealed the presence of compounds nearly identical to those obtained in our study. These compounds include quercetin, gallic acid, caffeic acid, vanillic acid, chlorogenic acid, syringic acid, p -coumaric acid, and m -coumaric acid . Furthermore, additional studies have demonstrated the richness of M.…”