Oroxylum indicum stem bark extract exerts antitumor potential against Ehrlich’s ascites carcinoma in Swiss albino mice

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: Constant efforts are exerted to explore unique bioactive principles from natural sources that possess more effective and specific antineoplastic activities. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the antitumor activity of stem bark extract of Oroxylum indicum in mice bearing Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC).  Materials and Methods: Ninety female Swiss albino mice were categorized into fifteen groups (n=6). The animals were inoculated with 1x106 EAC cells. Tumor control animals received sterile water once daily for 10 consecutive days. Positive control group was injected with Cisplatin (CP) (one dose – 3.5 mg/kg body weight). The treatment groups were administered with O. indicum (OI) stem bark ethanol extract once daily with 50mg/kg, 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg body weight for eleven consecutive days. The blood parameters and serum hepatic enzymes activity was determined. The percentage increase in weight, the median survival time, the increase in median life span was calculated. The cytotoxic effect of CP and OI extract was determined. Results: There was significant reduction in the white blood cells count in OI and CP treatment group compared to increased level in EAC control group. The RBC count and Hemoglobin level which was significantly decreased (p<0.05) in the tumour mice, was enhanced in the drug treatment groups. The EAC control group showed significant increase in tumour cell count (p<0.05) whereas, treatment of EAC tumor bearing mice with OI and CP significantly increased the non-viable tumor cell count (p<0.05).  Conclusion: OI stem bark ethanol extract reduced the toxic implications of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma, reverted the haematological and biochemical changes induced by tumour. These results call for additional research on isolating and identifying the responsible bioactive elements in order to clarify the underlying processes of the anticancer impact.