Evaluation of in- vivo antitumor and antioxidant activity of Ervatamia coronaria leaves

Abstract

The present study was designed to determine the antitumor and antioxidant properties of crude methanol extract from the leaves of Ervatamia coronaria (MEEC) against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) bearing Swiss albino mice. The effect of MEEC on the growth of transplantable murine tumor, life span of EAC bearing host, viable and non-viable cell count, packed cell volume, hematological profile and biochemical parameters such as lipid peroxidation (LPO), reduced glutathione content (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were estimated. MEEC caused significant (P<0.01) decrease in tumor volume, packed cell volume and viable count; and it prolonged the life span of EAC-tumor bearing mice. Hematological studies reveal that the Hb content and RBC count were restored to near normal levels in extract treated animals. MEEC significantly (P<0.05) decreased the levels of LPO and significantly increased the levels of GSH, SOD and CAT. Moreover the MEEC was found to be devoid of conspicuous short-term toxicity in the mice when administered daily for 14 days at the doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg. The results suggested that the methanol extract of Ervatamia coronaria leaves exhibited antitumor effect by modulating lipid peroxidation and augmenting antioxidant defense system in EAC bearing Swiss albino mice.