Evaluation of the antitumour effect of Cynodon dactylon and Aristolochia bracteata against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) induced mice

Abstract

Aim

Evaluation of the antitumour effect of Cynodon dactylon and Aristolochia bracteata against Ehrlich ascites

carcinoma (EAC) induced mice.

Methods

Antitumor activity of chloroform extract with various doses of Cynodon dactylon and chloroform extract of

Aristolochia bracteata was evaluated against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) tumor mice. Acute and short-term

toxicity studies were performed initially in order to ascertain the safety of chloroform extract of Cynodon dactylon

and Aristolochia bracteata. After 24 h of tumor inoculation, the extract was administered daily for 14 days. After

the administration of the last dose animals (mice) were made to fast for 18 h then sacrificed for evaluation of

antitumor activity. The effect of Chloroform extract of Cynodon dactylon and Aristolochia bracteata on the growth

of transplantable liquid tumor, life span of EAC bearing Swiss Albino mice and simultaneous alterations in

hematological profile were estimated.

Results

The Chloroform extract of Cynodon dactylon and Aristolochia bracteata showed significant (P<0.05) decrease in

tumor volume, packed cell volume and viable cell count, and increased the nonviable cell count and mean survival

time thereby increasing life span of EAC tumor bearing mice. Haematological profile reverted to more or less

normal levels in extract treated mice.

Conclusion

The Chloroform extract of Cynodon dactylon and Aristolochia bracteata exhibited statistically significant antitumor

effect depending on dose and duration of treatment.