Evaluation of Antitumor Activity of Leea indica (Burm.f.) Merr. extract against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) Bearing Mice

Abstract

Most of the conventional anti tumor drugs are designed to have selective toxicity to rapidly dividing cells. Among these agents the focus of many studies are compounds obtained from natural products that significantly reduce tumor size and enhance the survival time. In this study the crude methanolic extract of the leaves of Leea indica (L. indica) was examined for their anti tumor, anti-oxidant and cytotoxic activity. In vivo anti tumor activity was studied against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) cells in Swiss albino mice by monitoring parameters like tumor weight measurement, survival time and tumor cell growth inhibition. It has been found that the compound at the dose of 40 mg/kg/day (i.p) significantly decreases tumor weight, increases life span and reduces tumor cell growth rate in comparison to those of EAC bearing mice receiving no extract. Bleomycin was used as a positive control (0.3 mg /kg). In vitro anti-oxidant potentiality was tested using DPPH radical scavenging test, total phenol and flavonoid content and reducing power determination assays. The extracts showed moderate antioxidant activity in a dose dependent manner. The cytotoxic activity of the extract was assessed by brine shrimp lethality bioassay technique which showed significant result (LC 50 less than 25µg/ml). Anti tumor properties of L.indica could be linked with the presence of these antioxidant and cytotoxic activity. These outcomes indicate the possible potential use of L.indica as anti tumor agent.