ABSTRACT
The cytotoxic effect of various concentrations of echitamine chloride was studied in HeLa, HepG2, HL60, KB and MCF-7 cell lines in-vitro and in mice bearing Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC). Exposure of various cells to different concentrations of echitamine chloride resulted in a concentration-dependent cell killing, and KB cells were found to be most sensitive amongst all the cells evaluated. EAC mice treated with 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 or 16 mg kg-1 echitamine chloride showed a dose-dependent elevation in the anti-tumour activity, as evident by increased number of survivors in comparison with the non-drug treated controls. The highest dose of echitamine chloride (16 mg kg-1) caused toxicity in the recipient mice, therefore 12 mg kg-1 was considered the best cytotoxic dose for its anti-tumour effect. Administration of 12 mg kg-1 echitamine chloride resulted in an increase in the median survival time (MST) up to 30.5 days, which was 11.5 days higher than the non-drug treated control (19 days). Administration of 16 mg kg-1 echitamine chloride to EAC mice resulted in a time dependent elevation in lipid peroxidation that reached a peak at 6 h post-treatment, whereas glutathione concentration declined in a time dependent manner and a maximum decline was reported at 3 h post-treatment. Our study demonstrated that echitamine chloride possessed anti-tumour activity in-vitro and in-vivo.
Subject(s)
Alkaloids/therapeutic use , Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/therapeutic use , Neoplasms, Experimental , Secologanin Tryptamine Alkaloids/therapeutic use , Alkaloids/adverse effects , Alkaloids/chemistry , Alstonia/chemistry , Animals , Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/chemistry , Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/isolation & purification , Carcinoma, Ehrlich Tumor/drug therapy , Carcinoma, Ehrlich Tumor/metabolism , Carcinoma, Ehrlich Tumor/pathology , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Cell Survival/drug effects , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor/methods , Glutathione/drug effects , Glutathione/metabolism , Humans , Inhibitory Concentration 50 , Lipid Peroxidation/drug effects , Longevity/drug effects , Longevity/physiology , Male , Mice , Mortality , Plant Bark/chemistry , Secologanin Tryptamine Alkaloids/chemistry , Secologanin Tryptamine Alkaloids/isolation & purification , Survival Rate/trends , Time Factors , Weight Gain , Weight LossABSTRACT
The aqueous extract of whole plant of Coronopus didymus LINN (CD) [Family: Bracicacea] was screened for antiallergic, antipyretic and hepatoprotective effects in rats and hypoglycemic activity in mice. The extract showed significant antiallergic, antipyretic, hypoglycemic and hepatoprotective activity at 200 and 400 mg/kg doses on oral administration. Mechanistically, CD acts as an antioxidant as evidenced by its ability to scavenge DPPH and superoxide radicals. All the observed activities may be due to the presence of flavonoids, saponins and tannins as they are reported to possess a variety of biological activities.
Subject(s)
Analgesics, Non-Narcotic/pharmacology , Anti-Allergic Agents/pharmacology , Brassicaceae , Hypoglycemic Agents/pharmacology , Liver/drug effects , Analgesics, Non-Narcotic/isolation & purification , Animals , Anti-Allergic Agents/isolation & purification , Hypoglycemic Agents/isolation & purification , Liver/metabolism , Mice , Plant Extracts/isolation & purification , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Sheep , WaterABSTRACT
Tender Cocos nucifera L. (Palmacea) water (CW), variety Chandrasankara, was tested for its ability to scavenge free radicals, inhibit lipid peroxidation and protect hemoglobin from nitrite-induced oxidation. Fresh sample of CW scavenged 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenz-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and superoxide radicals but promoted the production of hydroxyl radicals and increased lipid peroxidation. The activity was most significant for fresh samples of CW and diminished significantly upon heat, acid or alkali treatment or dialysis. Maturity of coconut drastically decreased the scavenging ability of CW against DPPH, ABTS and superoxide radicals. CW protected hemoglobin from nitrite-induced oxidation to methemoglobin when added before the autocatalytic stage of the oxidation. Acid, alkali or heat treated or dialyzed CW showed a decreased ability in protecting hemoglobin from oxidation. The scavenging ability and protection of hemoglobin from oxidation may be partly attributed to the ascorbic acid, which is an important constituent of CW. As CW is a rich source of vitamins, amino acids and enzymes, etc., more than one active principle maybe involved.
