Roots ofWithania somniferaInhibit Forestomach and Skin Carcinogenesis in Mice

Abstract

We evaluated the cancer chemopreventive efficacy of theWithania somniferaroot, which has been used in the Indian traditional medicine system for many centuries for the treatment of various ailments. Since, studies showing its mechanism-based cancer chemopreventive efficacy are limited, this was investigated in the present study. We studied the effect of dietary administration ofWithaniaroot on hepatic phase I, phase II and antioxidant enzymes by estimation of its level/activity, as well as in attenuating carcinogen-induced forestomach and skin tumorigenesis in the Swiss albino mouse model. Our findings showed that roots ofW.somniferainhibit phase I, and activates phase II and antioxidant enzymes in the liver. Further, in a long-term tumorigenesis study,Withaniainhibited benzo(a)pyrene-induced forestomach papillomagenesis, showing up to 60 and 92% inhibition in tumor incidence and multiplicity, respectively. Similarly,Withaniainhibited 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene-induced skin papillomagenesis, showing up to 45 and 71% inhibition in tumor incidence and multiplicity. In both studies,Withaniashowed no apparent toxic effects in mice as monitored by the body weight gain profile. Together, these findings suggest thatW.somniferaroot has chemopreventive efficacy against forestomach and skin carcinogenesis and warrants the identification and isolation of active compounds responsible for its anticancer effects, which may provide the lead for the development of antitumor agents.