CHEMOPREVENTIVE POTENTIAL OF ALCOHOLIC EXTRACT OF A POLYHERBAL ( Phyllanthus amarus, Euphorbia hirta and Azadirachta indica) RECIPE AGAINST BENZO(a)PYRENE INDUCED LUNG CARCINOGENESIS IN ALBINO MICE

Abstract

Antitumor chemotherapeutic drugs used in lung cancer management cause many adverse effects like damage to healthy cells and tumor relapse. Chemo-therapeutic agents fails to provide a complete cure due to single drug dose. Hence, new treatment, particularly phytotherapy is needed to reduce the side effects. Herein, the synergistic effect of a polyherbal (Phyllanthus amarus, Euphorbia hirta, and Azadirachta indica) recipe was evaluated to determine its suppressive effects at different doses against benzo(a)pyrene (BaP)-induced lung cancer in albino mice. The phytochemical and safety of the recipe using cytogenetic, heamatology and histology indices were also evaluated. High concentration of phenols (158.27%), flavonoids (36.41%) and low concentration of cardenolides and steroids in the extract were identified. BaP exposure induced elevated lipid peroxidation and decreased antioxidant enzyme activity. Significant increase of WBCs and LYM at 100 and 200 mg/kg were observed. The recipe also demonstrated protective effects on liver and kidney biomarkers, and reduction in micronucleus formation, counteracting potential BaP-induced damage. Severe damage in the BaP-treated group lung tissues were observed but the recipe treated groups exhibited reduced damages. The study highlighted the efficacy of the recipe in preventing lung carcinogenesis, underscoring its potential as a preventive measure with curative and anti-proliferative properties.