STUDIES ON ANTICANCER ACTIVITY OF SOME MEDICINAL PLANTS

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Date
2010
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Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu
Abstract
In the present investigation, leaves of Azadirachta indica, roots of Asparagus racemosus, flowers of Butea monosperma, and aerial parts of Ipomoea nil and Costus speciosus were studied for their anticancer activity. Alcoholic, hydro-alcoholic and aqueous extracts were prepared from the specified plant parts and studied for their in vitro cytotoxic potential against a panel of twelve cancer cell lines viz., Colo-205, 502713, HCT-15, SW-620, SK-N-SH , Du-145, A-549, MCF-7, OVCAR-5, HEP-2, IMR-32 and D17. Alcoholic extracts of Azadirachta indica (leaves), Asparagus racemosus (roots) and Ipomoea nil (aerial parts) were found to possess promising cytotoxic activity which were then fractionated into n-hexane, chloroform, n-butanol and aqueous fractions and again investigated for their in vitro cytotoxic potential against the same panel of twelve cancer cell lines. The most promising fractions along with their respective extracts were further studied for their in vivo anticancer activity against seven models of murine tumors viz., Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC), Sarcoma-180 (ascites), Methyl cholanthrene induced ascites, Ehrlich tumor (solid), Sarcoma-180 (solid), L1210 Lymphoid leukemia and P388 Lymphocytic leukemia and myelosuppressive effects in tumor bearing animals. Alcolholic extract of Azadirachta indica leaves (AILE) and its chloroform fraction (AILF2) showed poor to moderate in vivo anticancer activity whereas alcoholic extract of Asparagus racemosus roots (ARRE) and its chloroform (ARRF2) and n-butanol (ARRF3) fractions as well as alcolholic extract of Ipomoea nil aerial parts (INE) and its n-hexane fraction (INFI) showed excellent in vivo anticancer activity. ARRF3 and INF1 emerged to be enriched with therapeutic anticancer potential which on further investigation were found to arrest cell cycle at sub-G<sub>1</sub> phase and induce apoptosis through mitochondrial pathway. Light microscopic and scanning and transmission electron microscopic studies conducted on HL-60 cells, EAC cells and Sarcoma-180 (solid) tissue further confirmed the induction of apoptosis (as revealed by changes typical of apoptosis) with these isolates. However, the anticancer activity of INF1 was assosciated with severe myelosuppression whereas ARRF3 showed no significant myelosuppression on further investigation with respect to their effects on bone marrow cellularity. The study has identified ARRF3 and INF1 as isolates with definite potential of new anticancer therapeutics. It provides important leads for further studies to develop therapeutic molecules. Keywords: Anticancer, Azadirachta indica, Asparagus racemosus, Ipomoea nil
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