Experimental study on anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory effect of Thespesia populnea phytochemical extract in mice models

Abstract

In the present study, we have conducted a dose- and duration-dependent response of phytochemical extract of Thespesia populnea (Malvaceae) plant native of costal forest of India. Our earlier studies revealed the anti-oxidant and chemoprotective effect of this plant extract. In the present study, we have attempted to study the anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory response of T. populnea using experimental mouse models. Our studies revealed that administration of T. populnea methanol extract was shown to inhibit the solid tumor development in mice. T. populnea treatment significantly reduced tumor cell glutathione (GSH) levels as well as serum γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and nitric oxide (NO) levels in the tumor-bearing animals (p < 0.01). The total white blood cell count and hemoglobin levels were also significantly increased in extract-treated hosts (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). The use of T. populnea substantially reduced the acute inflammation (assessed as paw edema) induced by carrageenan and also reduced inflammation edema induced by formalin. These studies suggest that T. populnea extract could be used as a (natural) anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor agent.

Keywords::

• Anti-inflammatory
• anti-tumor
• Thespesia populnea
• glutathione
• nitric oxide
• B16F10 melanoma cells

Acknowledgment

The valuable suggestions of Dr. V. M. Berlin Grace, Head, Department of Biotechnology and Dr. M. Patrick Gomez, Director, School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Karunya University are acknowledged. The authors acknowledge the valuable support of University Grants Commision (UGC) for providing fellowship in the form of Maulana Azad National Fellowship.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflict of interest.