ABSTRACT
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Sesquiterpene lactones are organic compounds derived from plants that exhibit anti-inflammatory and antitumor activities being one of the locking mechanisms of action of NF-kB pathway and synthesis of cytokines such as IL-1 and TNF- α. AIM OF THE STUDY: The overall objective of the present study was to evaluate the antitumor activity of the sesquiterpene lactone diacethylpiptocarphol (DPC) from Vernonia scorpioides (Lam.) Pers. in animal models Ehrlich tumors that has shown antitumor activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The antitumor effects of Intraperitonial administration of DPC (5mg/kg/day) were evaluated in Balb/c mice on Ehrlich tumors, and further the body weight, the ascitic cells volume measurement, solid tumor measured and TNF-α level was determinate. RESULTS: Balb/c mice bearing Ehrlich tumors were treated daily with 5mg/kg/day of the DPC for one week and showed no tumor in the peritoneum after treatment, besides presenting a reduction of TNF-α cytokine. Also the solid tumor reduced size after one week of treatment with DPC. CONCLUSIONS: Sesquiterpene lactone DPC, isolated from Vernonia scorpioides showed antitumor activity because it decreased the size of the solid tumor and abolished the ascitic tumor development, and also did not affect the mice body weight, however the treatment reduced the TNF-α level in mice.
