Orbea variegata (L.) Haw in skin carcinogenesis: insights from an in vivo male Swiss mouse model study

ABSTRACT

Skin cancer is the most widespread type of malignant tumor representing a major public health concern. Considering the numerous side effects associated with conventional treatments, phytotherapy may be regarded as a viable medicinal alternative. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of Orbea variegata (L.) Haw, an ornamental plant, in treating skin cancer using an animal model induced by a combination of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and sulfuric acid treatment. The hydroethanolic extract of Orbea variegata underwent phytochemical characterization, identifying the presence of reducing sugars, coumarins, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, and saponins through qualitative screening. Quantitative analysis demonstrated significant amounts of phenolic compounds (29.435 ± 0.571 mg GAE/g of dry extract), flavonoids (6.711 ± 0.272 mg QE/g of dry extract), and tannins (274.037 ± 11.3 mg CE/g of dry extract). The administration the hydroethanolic extract in two concentrations (1 or 2 g/kg) to male Swiss mice exhibited no marked adverse effects, as evidenced by serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) enzyme activity levels. In addition, the extract significantly reduced skin hyperplasia and inflammation induced by UV/sulfuric acid treatment as noted in tissue analyses and decreased protein expression of nuclear proliferation marker (Ki-67). This improvement was associated with a marked decrease in oxidative stress, as indicated by diminished lipid peroxidation levels, and restoration of the activity of endogenous antioxidant enzyme catalase (CAT) to control levels. Our findings demonstrated the potential of Orbea variegata hydroethanolic extract to be considered as a treatment for skin cancer, exhibiting its apparent safety and efficacy in reducing inflammation and carcinogenesis in a UV/sulfuric acid-induced Swiss mouse model, attributed to its phytochemical content and associated antioxidant activities.

KEYWORDS:

• Orbea variegata (L.) Haw
• Swiss mouse model
• skin cancer
• oxidative stress
• antioxidant activity
• anti-hyperplasic activity

List of abbreviations

O. variegata: Orbea variegata (L.) Haw; SA: sulfuric acid; GAE: gallic acid equivalent; QE: quercetin equivalent; CE: catechin equivalent; DE: dry extract; MDA: malondialdehyde; CAT: Catalase; AST: aspartate aminotransferase; ALT: alanine aminotransferase; NO: Nitric Oxide; TCA: Trichloroacetic Acid; FeCl₃: Iron (III) Chloride; NaOH: Sodium Hydroxide; NaCl: Sodium Chloride.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The authors confirm that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Moroccan Higher Education and Research Ministry.