Antineoplastic activity of acetone semicarbazone (ASC) against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) bearing mice

Abstract

Acetone semicarbazone (a Schiff base) has been synthesized and characterized. Its antineoplastic activity has been studied against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells in Swiss albino mice by monitoring parameters like tumor weight, survival time, tumor cell growth inhibition and haematological characteristics. It was found that the compound at dose 2.0 mg/kg/day i.p (intra peritoneal) significantly decreases tumor weight, increases life span and reduces tumor cell growth rate in comparison to those of EAC bearing mice. The compound also alters the depleted haematological parameters like red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), haemoglobin (Hb) % and differential counts (i.e. lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes) of EAC bearing mice towards normal. The compound enhances the number of macrophages in normal mice. The toxic effects of the compound on the host are not very high and the host recovers gradually towards normal within a few days after treatment. The compound can therefore be considered as a new potent antitumor agent. The efficiency is more or less comparable to that of a standard drug like bleomycin (0.3 mg/kg/day, i.p.).