Résumé
Earthworms have a long association with the medicinal property as the biomolecules/compounds produced bythe earthworms are of pharmacological importance with high potential in the eradication of various diseases withvery low cost. Researchers have proved that earthworms are immune to malignant diseases such as differentkinds of cancers. Hence, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the antitumor activities of differentepigeic earthworms, such as Eudrilus eugeniae, Eisenia fetida, and Perionyx excavatus. The cytotoxicity assaywas tested through 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-Yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide (MTT) assay on MichiganCancer Foundation-7 (MCF-7) cells by exposing them at various concentrations (200, 400, 600, 800, and 1,000µg/ml) of different epigeic earthworm powders and standard antitumor chemotherapy drug Cisplatin (15 µg/ml).The percent growth inhibition/percent viability of MCF-7 cells varies with different concentrations of earthwormpowder. The IC50 value was more prominent with E. fetida (113.97 µg/ml), followed by E. eugeniae (825.67 µg/ml) and P. excavatus (1,617.31 µg/ml). Based on the above results, it can be concluded that the tissues of theearthworm, E. fetida, seems to be a very good anticancer agent against MCF-7 cells as compared to other twoearthworm species. Therefore, such studies could be useful in the future for the development of novel therapeuticagents against different types of cancers, further molecular level experimental studies are required to ascertainthe pathways and genes responsible for the anticancer effect, and thereby, we can exploit the beneficial aspectsof various earthworm species in drug delivery research and also in pharmaceutical applications.
Résumé
Aim: The aim of the present study was to understand the physico-chemical changes during vermicomposting of terrestrial weeds, Mikania micrantha and leaf litters of Acacia auriculiformis and Bambusa polymorpha mixed with cowdung.Methodology: Vermicomposting was done in 2.5 l earthen pot, each having 300 g waste materials [cowdung alone (300g) and different litter wastes mixed with cowdung in 7:3 ratio]. Based on our pilot study using cowdung and plant wastes in different ratios, it was observed that earthworm thrived well and acted better in 7:3 (plant wastes: cowdung) compared to other ratios. Each pot was inoculated with 30 adult earthworms, Perionyx excavatus [cumulative weight (g) 9.99±0.09] after 21 days of pre-composting of wastes. Samples from vermicomposting pots were collected on 0, 15, 30 and 45th day for physico-chemical analysis of wastes. Results: Vermicomposting brought about changes in pH values near to neutral at the end of the experiment in all the treatments. Significant increase (p<0.05) in the electrical conductivity, total nitrogen (%), available phosphorus (mg 100g-1), available potassium (mg 100g-1) and a significant decrease (p<0.05) in total organic carbon (%) and C:N ratios from initial feed mixtures to final product in all the vermicomposting treatments were observed. The maximum rise in electrical conductivity, nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium were recorded in the vermicompost obtained from Mikania-cowdung-mixtures. Interpretation: Vermicompost derived from Mikania-cowdung mixtures may be considered as suitable organic resource. Addition of carbonaceous materials such as leaf litters, sawdust, straw etc. with Mikania-cowdung mixtures is recommended for vermicomposting to increase the C:N ratio of vermicompost for slow release of nutrients.