Anticancer potential of Chenopodium album leaf extract against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells in Swiss albino mice

Abstract

Abstract Background Chenopodium album (Family: Amaranthaceae) is a nutritive herb mainly found in Bangladesh and had reported that it is having different bioactive phytochemicals including polyphenols. It has a great popularity for it is traditionally used as a medicine against microorganisms, inflammation, and cancer. We designed this experiment to explore the in vivo anticancer effects of C. album leaf extract against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells in Swiss albino mice. Results Administration of C. album leaf extract at concentration 200 (mg/kg) and 400 (mg/kg) showed 30.60% and 41.80% cell growth inhibition respectively that were statistically significant (***P < 0.001) and may lead to apoptosis, and the number of apoptotic cells were 37.5 ± 6.22, 54.67 ± 4.76 respectively (***P < 0.001). Plant extract at concentration 200 (mg/kg) and 400 (mg/kg) increased life span 22.27% and 51.07% respectively. Tumor weight decreased 18.50 ± 2.59 g, 13.67 ± 2.25 g respectively compared to the control group, and results were statistically significant (***P < 0.001). Treatment with plant extract 200 (mg/kg) and 400 (mg/kg) restored all biochemical parameters including hemoglobin content, white blood cell (WBC) count, and red blood cell (RBC) count of EAC cells bearing Swiss albino mice. Conclusion Our current findings may suggest that C. album leaf extract showed potent anticancer activity through cell growth inhibition and apoptosis, increased mean survival time, decreased tumor weight, and restored all the biochemical parameters and stimulation of host immunity. As a result, the C. album leaf has taken into consideration as a potent source of bioactive compounds in cancer chemotherapy.