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1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Herbs for health Using herbs and plants for medicinal purposes has a long tradition. In India and China, these traditions date back thousands of years. Once thought of as "traditional medicine" used by native or ancient cultures, herbal medicine has emerged as a popular alternative or supplement to modern medicine. According to the World Health Organization, 4 billion people, almost 70 % of the world population, use herbal medicine for some aspect of primary health care (Abramov, 1996). It is estimated that in the United States alone, botanical dietary supplements exceed $3 billion per year (The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 1999). Forty percent of Americans take dietary supplements. About half of these people take vitamin and mineral supplements, a third take some type of herbal product, and the rest take other ergogenic aids, such as amino acids or protein powders (Industry Overview, 1999). The herbal market is growing steadily at about 20 % in every year (The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 1999). People take herbs for many reasons and many conditions. One of the biggest reasons is that herbs are considered natural and therefore healthier and gentler than conventional drugs (Ironically, many prescription drugs are of herbal origin). Some people take them for overall health and well-being, not for any specific condition. For others, herbal use is grounded in traditions passed down from generation to generation or recommended by folk healers. Medicinal herbs are significant source of synthetic and herbal drugs. In the commercial market, medicinal herbs are used as raw drug, extract or tincture. Isolated active constituents are used for applied research. For the last few decades, phytochemistry has been making rapid progress and herbal products are becoming popular. Ayurveda, the ancient healing system of India, flourished in the Vedic Era in India. According to historical facts, the classical texts of Ayurveda, Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita were written around 1000 B.C. The Ayurvedic Materia Medica includes 600 medicinal plants along with therapeutics. Herbs like turmeric, fenugreek, ginger, garlic and holy basil are integral part of Ayurvedic formulations. The formulations incorporate single herb or more than two herbs (poly-herbal formulations). Page 1 of 113 Medicinal herb is considered to be a chemical factory as it contains multitude of chemical compounds like alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, resins, oleoresins, sesquiterpene lactones and oils (essential and fixed). Today there is growing interest in chemical composition of plant based medicines. Several bioactive constituents have been isolated and studied for pharmacological activities. 1.2 Herbs as a Traditional medicine The World Health Organization (WHO) defines traditional medicine (TM) as "the total combination of knowledge and practices, where explicable or not, used in diagnosing, preventing or eliminating physical, mental or social diseases which may rely exclusively on past experience and observation handed down from generation to generation, verbally or in writing" (WHO Africa, 2000). WHO also specifies traditional African medicine as "the sum total of practices, measures, ingredients and procedures of all kinds whether material or not which from time immemorial had enabled African to guard against diseases, to alleviate his suffering and to cure himself" (WHO Geneva, 1978). TM has been utilized by the majority of the world population for thousands of years. Until the beginning of the 19th century, all medicines were traditional. Yet, in many developing countries, it is true that for the majority of rural population, TM is the only primary or any other kind of health care available (Koita, 1990). For more than 80% of the population in Africa, they are using traditional medicine. In recognition of this fact, WHO underlined the potential role that TM may play in reinforcing the health care through the primary health care approach in developing countries (WHO Geneva, 1978). 1.3 History of traditional medicine Guided by taste and experience, early societies developed a means of healing by using plants, animal products and minerals that were not mostly among their usual diet. The physical evidence of herbal remedies goes back some 60,000 years to a burial site of a Neanderthal man uncovered in 1960 in a cave in Northern Iraq. In this cave, scientists found what appears to be the remains of an ordinary human bones, and analysis of the soil around these revealed extraordinary quantities of pollen that could not have been introduced accidentally at the burial site. Rather, it is assumed that someone from the cave community had consciously made eight species of plants to surround the dead body, seven of which are medicinal plants still used throughout the herbal world (Jin-Ming et Page 2 of 113 al., 2003). One of the earliest records of the use of herbal medicine is that of Chaulmoogra oil from species of Hydnocarpus gaertn, which was known to be effective in the treatment of leprosy. Such use was recorded in pharmacopoeia of the Emperor Shen Nung of China between 2730 and 3000 B.C. Similarly, seeds of opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) and castor oil seeds (Ricinus communis L.) were excavated from some ancient Egyptian tombs, which indicated their use in that part of Africa as far back as 1500 B.C. Suffice it to say that some 5000 years back, man was well aware of medicinal properties of some plants growing around him (Sofowora, 1982). The Arab medicine known as Unani system of medicine had its origin in the fifth and fourth centuries B.C under the patronage of Hippocrates in Greece and later expanded by the great teachers such as Aristotle, Theophrastus, Dioscorides, and Galen, etc. Then, this body of knowledge moved to Rome, Alexandria and to the Arab countries and got the name "The Arab (Unani) or Greco-Arab system of medicine". In the Ayruvedic medical system that is believed to have been in practice for 2000 years mainly in India, 582 herbs and 600 remedies were described in the early book on internal medicine and in the book of surgery, respectively. According to medical history, Hippocrates born in 460 B.C. was the first Greek to regard medicine as a science and he is now referred to as the father of medicine. His material medica consisted essentially of herbal recipes, some 400 simple remedies having been combined and 4 described by him. Theophrastus of Athens was another famous Greek, who was born in 370 B.C. produced a number of manuscripts including the famous Historic plantarium. Both these early doctors administered various vegetable drugs including myrrh and frankincense. At that time preparation of aromatic roots and flowers were also used for treating many ailments (Jin-Ming et al., 2003; Sofowora, 1982). In the middle ages, the writings of Galen (Born in 131 A.D.) became popular. He is considered today to be the most distinguished physician of antiquity after Hippocrates. He treated diseases essentially by the use of herbs, and those who followed his methods eventually developed the sect known as "Eclectics" who employed herbal as well as mineral substances in treating the sick. Allopathic as well as homeopathic systems of medicine today are based on doctrines expatiated by Galen (Sofowora, 1982). The use of many medicinal plants in Europe in the 14th century was based on the doctrine of Page 3 of 113 signature or similars developed by Paracelsus (1490-1541), a Swiss alchemist and physician. According to this doctrine, healing herbs have features made by God identifying the plant with specific disease or part of the body. For example, plants with heart shaped leaves were good for treating heart disease (Sofowora, 1982). 1.4 Global perspectives of traditional medicine Trends in the use of traditional and complementary medicine are on the increase in many developed and developing countries. In the USA, it was estimated that 42.5 million visits were made to herbalists in 1990, contrasting with the 388 million actual visits to primary health care physicians. In 1992, 20 million patients in Germany used homeopathy (Jin-Ming et al., 2003), acupuncture as well as chiropractic and herbal medicine as the most popular forms of complementary medicine. In Australia in 1998, about 60% of the population used complementary medicine, 17,000 herbal products had already been registered and a total of US $650 million was spent on complementary medicine (WHO Africa, 2000). The herbal medicine market has expanded tremendously in the last 15 years and the total annual sale of herbal medicines is still growing over the counter sales of herbal medicines in the USA and Canada during which it showed growth rate of 15%. In Europe, the sales of herbal products have been referred as "Europe's growth market" which amounted to USD 1.4 billion in 1992. In Malaysia, it is estimated that about US $500 million is spent every year on traditional medicine, compared to only about US $300 million on modern medicine. In 1996 the total annual sale of herbal medicines reached US $14 billion worldwide (WHO Africa, 2000). In China traditional medicines account for 30 – 50% of total medicinal consumption and the total sales of their herbal medicines amounted to USD 2.5 billion in 1993. In addition, China exported medicinal herbs in 1993 with an estimated value of USD 40 million. Within China the traditional systems of health care are incorporated into the formal component of national health care. In 1991, there were 530,000 medical and technical personnel in traditional Chinese medicinal field. There were more than 2,000 hospitals of traditional Chinese medicine, and 170,000 beds within the hospitals. Also, there were more than 160 scientific research institutions of traditional Chinese Materia Medica, forming a scientific research system. There were more than 2,000 factories of Page 4 of 113 manufacturing medicinal herbs, producing more than 4,000 kinds of ready-made Chinese herbal medicine every year (Xiang, 1990). In India, where 75% of the populations depend on herbal preparations in 1991, 540 plant species were reported to be used in different formulations (Bhat, 1990). In 1995, there were 250,000 registered traditional medicine practitioners, the majority having received training in degree graduating college. 1.5 Ethnopharmacology in drug discovery Ethnopharmacology as a specifically designated field of research has had a relatively short history. The term was used in 1967 as a title of a book on hallucinogens “Ethnopharmacologic search for psychoactive drugs” and is nowadays much more broadly defined: “The observation, identification, description, and experimental investigation of the ingredients and the effects of the ingredients and the effects of such indigenous drugs is a truly interdisciplinary field of research which is very important in the study of traditional medicine. Ethnopharmacology is thus defined as the interdisciplinary scientific exploration of biologically active agents traditionally employed or observed by man”. This definition draws attention to the evaluation of indigenous uses and does not explicitly address the issue of searching for new bioactive drugs (drug discovery). Here we look at different processes involved in drug discovery. The discovery process is composed of several stages. The first stage must be the reported use of a naturally occurring material for some purpose, which can be related to a medicinal use. Consideration of the cultural practice associated with it is important in deciding possible bases of the reputed activity. If there is an indication of genuine effect, then the material needs to be identified and characterized according to scientific nomenclature. It can then be collected for experimental studies, usually comprising some tests for relevant biological activity linked with isolation and structure determination of any chemicals present, which might be responsible for the observed activity. A) Information sources The most reliable type of information arises from in-depth studies carried out by field workers living in that particular community of a particular ethnic group on the use of local plants and other materials. This usually comprises frequent communication with the local population, preferably in their own language. It should be noted, however, that Page 5 of 113 an extensive knowledge of TM may reside with only a few people and a focus on this group would yield greater results. Before such knowledge can be investigated scientifically, the information provided will often need clarification and translation into scientific terms of particular importance. The correct identification of the species used can be very difficult due to a lack of or poor quality sample specimens. Illustrations as well as language difficulties can also be additional barriers. However, data on the part used, time of collection, method of preparation of formulation and methods of application are also necessary since they all affect the nature and amount of any biologically active compounds. Any restriction on use due to time of year may be important since they may indicate low levels or high levels of active compounds. Similarly, any type of individuals excluded from being treated may indicate groups at risk due to age, gender or occupation (Cox et al., 1994; Heinrich et al., 2001). B) Extraction The extract used for testing should approximate as closely as possible to that obtained from the traditional process. In many cases, this will be simple extraction with hot water. But a variety of other solvents as well as various additives may be used in the treatment of materials before use. In most instances however, it is likely that fairly polar compounds will be extracted, although the solubility of less polar substances may be increased considerably due to solubilizing compounds (Cox et al., 1994; Heinrich et al., 2001). In most instances of modern drug discovery carried out by industrial and academic research groups, a particular assay, or series of in vitro bioassays, designed on the basis of the biochemistry or molecular biology of the disease, is used to test the extract. In these situations, the ethnopharmacology has little relevance to the tests used except that it provides a number of screening samples selected on the basis of their traditional use for the disease in question (Cox et al., 1994; Heinrich et al., 2001). C) Chemical examination Chemical examination should be linked with tests for biological activity and it is probably only a happy accident of history that the many alkaloidal drugs were developed from traditional medicines, without the need for bioassay guided fractionation because Page 6 of 113 the alkaloids were present in fairly high amounts and they were relatively easy to obtain in a purified state. For many other traditional medicines, where activity is not due to alkaloids, it has been much more difficult to separate the activities from all the other compounds (Heinrich et al., 2001). Chemotaxonomic approach increases the proportion of plants that screen positively, thus saving research time and money. Specific secondary metabolites, such as flavonoids, are often restricted in distribution, being found only in groups of related plants. For example, isoflavnoids are common in species of the Fabaceae, but are found in few other plant families. Of the over 5500 types of alkaloids known, many are confined to a single genus or subfamily. Only a single alkaloid has been found in the many species of Bombacaceae tested so far, but the Solanaceae, Rubiacea and Ranunculaceae are the source of hundreds of distnict forms (Martin, 1995). The presence of different secondary metabolites in a plant can be screened by the use of appropriate chromogenic reagents after separation (Heinrich et al., 2001). A typical example of success reported in drug discovery based on ethnopharmacological approach is the discovery of artemisinin. Artemisia annua is a plant which was recorded during 281-340 AD for treating malaria (Samuelsson, 1987). In 1976, artemisinin compounds were identified and their mechanism of action elucidated. Artemisnin acts against malarial parasite in a very different way from quinine and most of the synthetic quinoline antimalarials. Several large trial studies have shown the efficacy of artemisinin but the more soluble analogue artemether and artesunates are now widely used and are recommended by WHO as antimalarias in chloroquine resistant areas (WHO China, 2001; WHO Geneva, 2001). The principles underlying herbal medicines are relatively simple, although they are quite distinct from conventional medicine and herbal medicine. Often overlooked distinction exists between herbal medicine (the practice) and the plant based remedies used in the practice of herbal medicine. India is a rich source of medicinal plants and a number of plant extracts are used against diseases in various systems of medicine such as ayurveda, unani and siddha. Only a few of them have been scientifically explored. Plant derived natural products such as flavanoids, terpenes, and alkaloids and soon has received considerable attention in recent years, due to their diverse pharmacological properties including cytotoxic and cancer chemo preventive effects. Page 7 of 113 Plants have a long history of use in the treatment of cancer (Ramakrishna et al., 1984). Extensive research at Sandoz laboratories in Switzerland in the 1960s and 1970s led to the development of etoposide and teniposide as clinically effective agents which are used in the treatment of lymphomas, bronchial and testicular cancer (Bholin et al., 1999). Of 2069 anticancer trials recorded by the NCI as being in progress as of July 2004, over 150 are drug combinations including etoposide against a range of cancers (National Cancer Institute, 2009). 1.6 General overview of cancer and its treatment The human adult is comprised of about 1015 cells, many of which are required to divide and differentiate in order to repopulate organs and tissues which require cell turnover (Bertram, 2001). The ability of the body to control cell multiplicity is achieved by a network of overlapping molecular mechanisms which direct cell proliferation and death. Any alteration in this balance (birth and death of cells), has a potential, if uncorrected, to alter the number of cells in an organ or tissue. Such changes may result in cancer, a disease that is manifested in many forms depending primarily on the organ from which it evolves. Characteristically, cancer is defined as the uncontrolled proliferation of cells which become structurally abnormal and possess the ability to detach themselves from a tumor and establish a new tumor at a remote site within the host (National Cancer Institute, 2009). Globally, cancer is one of the leading causes of death. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), an estimation of about 1,500,000 new cases and over 500,000 deaths are expected to be recorded in the US in 2009. South Africa experiences one of the highest incidence rates of cancer in Africa (Mqoqi et al., 2004). Every one in four males and six females have the potential of developing cancer. The current statistics by the National Cancer Registry of South Africa indicate that cancers of the bladder, colon, breast, cervix, lungs and melanoma are among the most common (Mqoqi et al., 2004). The existing strategy of eradicating cancer after detection has resulted in mortality that may have been preventable if caution was taken against the causative agents (Doll et al., 1981). Although, the etiology of cancer remains unknown to an extent, epidemiology has suggested the hypotheses that multiple causative factors may be operating. These factors (exogenous and endogenous) exert their specific effects at different times in the Page 8 of 113 life of the patient. The impact of such effects might be cumulative or synergistic. The main predictors of the incidence of cancer fall largely into two broad categories: environmental and positive family history (Parkin et al., 2005). A number of other risk factors exist from a wide range of studies in various populations and geographic locations. The progress in research on the etiology of cancer has revealed the evidence that dietary patterns, nutrients and food constituents are closely associated with the risk of several types of cancer (Doll et al., 1981). Fats have been the focus of nutritional studies on cancers of the prostate, breast and colon more than any other dietary component (National Research Council, 1989). Several studies in countries consuming high fat diets have consistently shown higher incidence and mortality rates for breast, colon and prostate cancers (National Research Council, 1989; Hursting et al., 1990). Studies of specific environmental influences have suggested an increased risk of developing various forms of cancer with exposure to particulate air pollutants and fertilizers. Substances such as asbestos, aniline dye, uranium and nickel have been implicated as environmental carcinogens (Monson et al., 1997). A) The role of inflammation in the initiation of cancer The association between inflammation and tumor has long been known (Balkwill et al., 2001). Since then, inflammation is increasingly recognized as an important component of several cancers, although the mechanisms involved are not fully understood (Ben, 2006). A vast body of evidence has indicated that inflammatory leucocytes contribute to cancer development either directly by the release of vesicle stored growth and survival factors and diverse proteolytic enzymes, or indirectly via the activation of cell signaling cascades as a result of altered pericellular matrix remodelling activity (Van Kempen et al., 2006). Products of inflammation such as growth factors, cytokines and transcription factors, like nuclear factorkappa B (NF-κB), control the expression of cancer genes and key inflammatory enzymes such as inducible nitric oxide (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) (Hofseth et al., 2006). Bacterial, viral and parasitic infections, chemical irritants and non-digestible particles are some of the causes of chronic inflammation. The longer this inflammation persists, the higher the risk of associated carcinogenesis (Shacter et al., 2002). Chronic Page 9 of 113 inflammation occurs due to environmental stress around the tumor, thus generating a shield protecting the tumor from the immune system (Assenat et al., 2006). Recent demonstrations have shown that microenvironment of tumors highly resemble an inflammation site, with a significant tendency for tumor progression (Assenat et al., 2006). In addition, this micro-environment apart from its significant role in cancer progression and protection has a considerable adverse effect on the success of the various current cancer treatments (Assenat et al., 2006). The pro-cancerous outcome of chronic inflammation are increased DNA damage, increased DNA synthesis, cellular proliferation, the disruption of DNA repair pathways and cellular milieu, the inhibition of apoptosis, the promotion of angiogenesis and invasion (Hofseth et al., 2007). Therefore, inflammation plays a major role in the initiation and progression of cancers. Inflammatory-related ailments are treated mainly with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These drugs are used to reduce the consequences of inflammation (Vane et al., 1996). Indomethacin, an NSAID, for example has been found to block carcinogenesis in animals by reducing the production of inflammatory cytokines (Federico et al., 2007). A lower risk of cancer incidence has also been found in people regularly taking NSAIDs (Fosslien, 2000). B) Treatment options for cancer The treatment option for cancer is influenced by several factors, such as the specific nature of the cancer; the status of the patient (age and health); and whether the goal of treatment is eradication of the tumor, control of the local tumor growth, prolongation of survival or palliation of cancer symptoms (National Cancer Institute, 2009). Depending on these factors, treatment options such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and hormonal therapy could be used. More than half of all people diagnosed with cancer are treated with chemotherapy because it is considered a systemic treatment. The cancer-fighting drugs circulate in the blood to parts of the body where the cancer may have spread and can kill or eliminate cancers cells at sites of great distances from the original cancer. The side effects observed with these treatments may be severe, thus reducing the quality of life, compromising treatment and sometimes limiting the chance for an optimal outcome from treatment. Common side effects includes anaemia, depression, fatigue, hair loss, infections, low blood counts, nausea and vomiting and long Page 10 of 113 term effects such as cardiac toxicity, growth problems and sterility (National Cancer Institute, 2009). C) Phytotherapy for cancer treatment Despite the major scientific and technological progress in the treatment and management of cancer, no reliable and definitive cure has been found (Richardson et al., 1999). This has led to an increase in the dependence of patients on unconventional medical therapies (Alschuler et al., 1997). All over the world, the traditional use of plants in the treatment of ailments has been on the increase especially in developing countries where there is invariably poor availability of primary health care (Alschuler et al., 1997). Plants are a viable source of biologically active natural products which have served as commercial drugs or as lead structures for the development of modified derivatives possessing enhanced activity (Cordell et al., 1991). Extracts of plants have a long history of use in the treatment of cancer (Hartwell, 1969). Over 60% of the currently used anticancer agents are derived in one way or the other from natural sources including plants and marine organisms (Cragg et al., 2005a). For example, the breakthrough for cancer treatment was achieved by the discovery and development of the vinca alkaloids, vincristine and vinblastine isolated from Catharanthus roseus in the early 1950’s (Chadwick et al., 1994). The discovery of these chemicals led to other research where compounds such as podophyllotoxin derivatives, etoposide and teniposide from the root of various Podophyllum species (Gurib-Fakim, 2006) and paclitaxel from the bark of Taxus brevifolia (Cragg et al., 2005b) were isolated. Other examples include the camptothecin derivatives (topotecan, irinotecan and 9- aminocamptothecin) isolated from Camptotheca acuminata, homoharringtonine from Cephalotaxus harringtonia var drupaceae and elliptinium from several genera in the Apocyanaceae family (Wall, 1998; Tingali, 2001). Since then, various studies have been undertaken to discover more natural sources of drugs for the treatment of cancer. D) Efficacy and safety of medicinal plants in cancer treatment The traditional use of plants in the treatment of ailments has been on the increase both in developing countries, where there is poor availability of primary health care, and also in the developed world. Herbal medicines are in great demand in the developing world for primary health care not only because they are inexpensive but also for better Page 11 of 113 cultural acceptability, better compatibility with the human body and minimal side effects. This is primarily due to the general belief that herbal medicines are relatively safe because they are natural (Gesler, 1992). The knowledge of the healing virtues of medicinal plants has been passed on from ancient times. History tells of medicinal plants such as Catharanthus roseus G. Don, Digitalis purpurea Linn, Rauwolfia serpentina Plum ex Linn, Willow (Salix species), Physostigma venenosum Balf. and a host of other plants which have been used for centuries for the treatment of diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, depression, pain, glaucoma and an array of other diseases that have plagued the world. Since then, plants have served as viable sources of biologically active natural products which are either used as commercial drugs or as lead structures for the development of modified derivatives possessing enhanced activity (Alschuler et al., 1997). Modern medicine as a result of civilization led to the reduced importance of medicinal plants to human survival. This was not because these plants were ineffective but because they were not economically profitable as the newer synthetic drugs (Tyler, 1999). However, in recent times, the concerns over the serious adverse effect of conventional drugs and the movement towards a more natural living has brought about a resurgence in the use of herbal products (Pal et al., 2003). The number of patients seeking herbal approaches for therapy has grown exponentially (Cordell et al., 1991). In France and Germany, the medical doctors regularly prescribe herbal medicine to 70% of their patients. Available records have illustrated the growth of the herbal medicine market in the European Union countries. In 1991, sales were about $ US 6 billion, with Germany accounting for $ US3 billion, France $ US 1.6 billion and Italy $ US 0.6 billion while in the US, herbal medicine market was about $ 4 billion in 1996 (Pal et al., 2003). India boasts about $ US 80 million for the exportation of herbal crude extracts (Kamboj, 2000). The resurgence and popularity of herbal medicines have led to an increase in the number of medicinal plant products in the market (Gupta et al., 1998). Unfortunately, the increased dependence on phytotherapy, without concern for efficacy and safety has resulted in preventable serious adverse effects (Gurib-Fakim, 2006). Page 12 of 113 a) Efficacy of medicinal plants With the slight increase in the randomized controlled trials to evaluate the efficacy of herbal medicines, an estimate of about 39% of all 520 new approved drugs were natural products or derived from natural products in 1983-1994 (Cragg et al., 1997). The study of Harvey (1999), reported that 60-80% of antibacterial and anticancer drugs were derived from natural products (Harvey, 1999). The antimalaria quinine from Cinchona officinalis, analgesics codeine and morphine from Papaver somnifera, antihypertensive reserpine from Rauwolfia serpentina and cardiac glycoside digoxin from Digitalis pupurea are some of the many drugs derived from medicinal plants that have been in use. The fact remains that plant substances constitute the basis for a very large proportion of medications used today for the treatment of diseases of the liver and heart, cancer, hypertension, depression and other ailments. This is the result of an increase in the scientific studies carried out to validate the traditional claims of these plants (GuribFakim, 2006). b) Safety of medicinal plants Recent findings indicate that herbal medicines may not be safe and severe consequences have arisen from the use of certain products (Gurib-Fakim, 2006; Bush et al., 2007). Information obtained from health centres and hospital emergency rooms have shown that 5 % of patients receiving complementary therapies report side effects (Molassiotis et al., 2005). The true frequency of the incidence of side effects from herbal remedies may be several folds higher than this, (Ernst, 2004) because the lack of surveillance systems which are less extensive than for conventional drugs have limited these reports (Bent et al., 2004). For example, acute poisoning as a result of herbal medicines is estimated to cause anywhere from 8,000 to 20,000 deaths annually in South Africa (Thomson et al., 2000). These side effects may occur through several different mechanisms, including direct toxic effects of the herbs, effects of contaminants, and interactions with drugs or other herbs (Ernst, 2004; Bent et al., 2004; Niggemann et al., 2003). The risk of herbal remedies producing side effects depends not only on the herb and the dose consumed, but also on the health status and age of the patient and the concurrent use of other drugs (De Smet et al., 1995). Page 13 of 113 2. AIM AND OBJECTIVES Researchers are constantly making efforts to discover new drugs and design better protocols for cancer. Synthetic anticancer drugs kill the cancer cells but they are also harmful to the normal cells. Since, increase in the use of these drugs in cancer therapy leads to many side effects and undesirable hazards, there is a worldwide trend to go back to natural resources, i.e., traditional plant preparations which are not only therapeutically effective but are actually acceptable and economically within the reach of even the neediest people. An alternative solution of this problem is the use of medicinal plant preparation to arrest the insidious character of the disease. Therefore it is imperative that more attention is focused to control the carcinogenesis. It may be easier to control the spread of cancer, if appropriate steps are taken before the initiation of the disease. The most important imaginative approach to reduce the cancer cases worldwide could be the inhibition of induction of carcinogenesis or cancer by the use of herbal technology. Many naturally occurring substances have been tested for anticancer activity on experimental animals resulting in the presence availability of some 30 effective anticancer drugs (Ramakrishna et al., 1984). Cytotoxicity screening models provide important preliminary data to help select plant extracts with potential antineoplastic properties for future work (Bohlin et al., 1999). Both ancient experience from traditional Chinese herbal medicine and modern studies have demonstrated that herbal medicine could be effective remedy for cancer treatment and to improve outcome of chemotherapy. Hence, the present study is undertaken to evaluate the anticancer activity of Madhuca longifolia, Adina cordifolia, Sida veronicaefolia in mice. Page 14 of 113 3. REVIEW OF LITERATURE 3.1 Anti-Cancer plants – A Review Natural Products, especially plants, have been used for the treatment of various diseases for thousands of years. Terrestrial plants have been used as medicines in Egypt, China, India and Greece from ancient time and an impressive number of modern drugs have been developed from them. The first written records on the medicinal uses of plants appeared in about 2600 BC from the Sumerians and Akkaidians. The “Ebers Papyrus”, the best known Egyptian pharmaceutical record, which documented over 700 drugs, represents the history of Egyptian medicine dated from 1500 BC. The Chinese Materia Medica, which describes more than 600 medicinal plants, has been well documented with the first record dating from about 1100 BC (Cragg et al., 1997). Documentation of the Ayurvedic system recorded in Susruta and Charaka dates from about 1000 BC (Kappor, 1990). The Greeks also contributed substantially to the rational development of the herbal drugs. Dioscorides, the Greek physician (100 A.D.), described in his work “De Materia Medica” more than 600 medicinal plants. Phytochemicals have been proposed to offer protection against a variety of chronic ailments including cardiovascular diseases, obesity, diabetes, and cancer. As for cancer protection, it has been estimated that diets rich in phytochemicals can reduce cancer risk by 20%.The compounds that are responsible for medicinal property of the drug are usually secondary metabolites. Plant natural product chemistry has played an active role in generating a significant number of drug candidate compounds in a drug discovery program. Recently, it has been reported in the literature that approximately 49 % of 877 small molecules that were introduced as new pharmaceuticals between 1981 and 2002 by New Chemicals Entities were either natural products or semi-synthetic analogs or synthetic products based on natural product models. Plants have a long history of use in the treatment of cancer. Hartwell, in his review of plants used against cancer, lists more than 3000 plant species that have reportedly been used in the treatment of cancer. It is significant that over 60% of currently used anticancer agents are derived in one way or another from natural sources, including plants, marine organisms and micro-organisms. Indeed, molecules derived from natural sources (so called natural products), including plants, marine organisms and Page 15 of 113 micro-organisms have played and continue to play, a dominant role in the discovery of leads for the development of conventional drugs for the treatment of most human diseases. The search for anti-cancer agents from plant sources started in earnest in the 1950s with the discovery and development of the vinca alkaloids, vinblastine and vincristine, and the isolation of the cytotoxic podophyllotoxins. These discoveries prompted the United States National Cancer Institute (NCI) to initiate an extensive plant collection program in 1960. This led to the discovery of many novel chemotypes showing a range of cytotoxic activities, including the taxanes and camptothecins (Cragg et al., 2005a). More than 50% of all modern drugs in clinical use are natural products, many of which have the ability to control cancer cells. A recent survey shows that more than 60% of cancer patients use vitamins or herbs as therapy (Sivalokanathan et al., 2005; Creemer et al., 1996). Many of these medicinal plants have been found effective in experimental and clinical cases of cancers. Attempts are being made to isolate active constituents from natural sources that could be used to treat this very serious illness. The first agents to advance into clinical use were the isolation of the vinca alkaloids, vinblastine and vincristine from the Madagascar periwinkle, Catharanthus roseus (Apo-cynaceae) introduced a new era of the use of plant material as anticancer agents (Cassady et al., 1981). They were the first agents to advance into clinical use for the treatment of cancer. Vinblastine and vincristine are primarily used in combination with other cancer chemotherapeutic drugs for the treatment of a variety of cancers, including leukemias, lymphomas, advanced testicular cancer, breast and lung cancers, and Kaposi’s sarcoma (Cassady et al., 1981). The discovery of paclitaxel from the bark of the Pacific Yew, Taxus brevifolia Nutt. (Taxaceae), is another evidence of the success in natural product drug discovery. Various parts of Taxus brevifolia and other Taxus species (e.g., Taxus Canadensis, Taxus baccata ) have been used by several Native American Tribes for the treatment of some noncancerous cases (Cragg et al., 2005a). Taxus baccata was reported to use in the Indian Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of cancer. Paclitaxel is significantly active against ovarian cancer, advanced breast cancer, small and non-small cell lung cancer. Page 16 of 113 Camptothecin, isolated from the Chinese ornamental tree Camptotheca acuminate (Nyssaceae), was advanced to clinical trials by NCI in the 1970s but was dropped because of severe bladder toxicity. Topotecan and irinotecan are semi-synthetic derivatives of camptothecin and are used for the treatment of ovarian and small cell lung cancers, and colorectal cancers, respectively (Harvey, 1999; Bertino, 1997). Epipodophyllotoxin is an isomer of podophyllotoxin which was isolated as the active antitumor agent from the roots of Podophyllum species, Podophyllum peltatum and Podophyllum emodi (Berberidaceae).Etoposide and teniposide are two semi-synthetic derivatives of epipodophyllotoxin and are used in the treatment of lymphomas and bronchial and testicular cancers (Cragg et al., 2005b). Combretastatins were isolated from the bark of the South African tree Combretum caffrum (Combretaceae). Combretastatin is active against colon, lung and leukemia cancers and it is expected that this molecule is the most cytotoxic phytomolecule isolated so far (Ohsumi et al., 1998; Petit et al., 1987). Betulinic acid, a pentacyclic triterpene, is a common secondary metabolite of plants, primarily from Betula species (Betulaceae) (Cichewitz et al., 2004). Betulinic acid was isolated from Zizyphus species, e.g. Zizyphus mauritiana, Zizyphus rugosa and Zizyphus oenoplia and displayed selective cytotoxicity against human melanoma cell lines (Pisha E et al., 1995). The Podophyllum species (Podophyllaceae), Podophyllum peltatum (commonly known as the American mandrake or Mayapple), and Podophyllum emodii from the Indian subcontinent, have a long history of medicinal use, including the treatment of skin cancers and warts. Podophyllum peltatum was used by the Penobscot Native Americans of Maine for the treatment of cancer (Cragg et al., 2002). Camptothecin isolated from Camptotheca acuminata (Nyssaceae), also known as tree of joy in China is a possible source of steroidal precursors for the production of cortisone. The extract of Camptotheca acuminata was the only one of 1000 of the plant extracts tested for anti-tumor activity which showed efficacy and camptothecin was isolated as an active constituent (Cragg et al., 2002). Other plant derived agents in clinical use are homoharringtonine isolated from the Chinese tree, Cephalotaxus harringtonia (Cephalotaxaceae), and elliptinium, a derivative Page 17 of 113 of ellipticine isolated from species of several genera of the Apocynaceae family including Bleekeria vitensis, a Fijian medicinal plant with reputed anti-cancer properties. Several Terminalia species have reportedly been used in the treatment of cancer. The combretastatins are a family of stilbenes which act as anti-angiogenic agents causing vascular shutdown in tumors and resulting in tumor necrosis (Cragg et al., 2002). Dragon's blood is the popular name for a dark red viscous sap produced by Croton lechleri. This herb is used in folk medicine as an anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anticancer (Pieters et al., 1993; Hartwell, 1969; Lopes, 2004). Crude extracts from plants like Colubrina macrocarpa, Hemiangium excelsum and Acacia pennatula have been shown to possess a selective cytotoxic activity against human tumor cells (Popoca et al., 1998). In Saudi Arabia, aerial parts of Commiphora opobalsamum are commonly used to treat various diseases. However, its potential use in stomach problems and cancer has been reported only recently (Howiriny et al., 2005). Some Astragalus species are used to treat leukemia and promote wound healing (Calis et al., 1997). Salvia officinalis is the most popular herbal remedy in the Middle East to treat common health complications. Salvia species (Labiatae) are known for their antitumor effects (Liu et al., 2000). Phytochemically, the whole plant contains several antioxidants that protect against cellular peroxidative damage. Lantana camara possesses several medicinal properties and is commonly used in folk medicine for its antipyretic, antimicrobial and antimutagenic properties (Fernanda et al., 2005). Solanum nigrum is a common herb that grows wildly and abundantly in open fields. It has been used in traditional folk medicine because of its diuretic and antipyretic effects. More specifically, it has been used for a long time in oriental medicine to cure inflammation, edema, mastitis and hepatic cancer (Lee et al., 2003). Evaluation of the in-vitro anticancer effects of bioflavonoids, viz. quercelon, catechin, luteolin and rutin against human carcinoma of larynx (Hep-2) and sacroma 180 (S-180) cell lines showed that only luteolin and quercelon inhibited the proliferation of the cells. Luteolin caused depletion of glutathione in the cells and a decline in DNA Page 18 of 113 synthesis, as seen by 3H thymidine uptake studies, thus demonstrating its anticancer potential (Elangovan et al., 1994). The anti-tumor effect of the crude extract of Centella asiatica as well as its partially purified fraction was studied in both, In-vitro short and long term chemosensitivity test systems and in vivo tumor models. The purified fraction inhibited the proliferation of transformed cell lines of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells and Dalton’s lymphoma ascites tumor cells more significantly than the crude extract. It also significantly suppressed the multiplication of mouse lung fibroblast cells in long term culture. In-vivo administration of both extracts retarded the development of solid and ascites tumors and increased the lifespan of the tumor bearing mice. Triturated thymidine, uridine and leucine incorporation assays suggest that the purified fraction acts directly on DNA synthesis (Babu et al., 1995). Fresh root suspension of Janakia arayalpathra exhibited strong anti-tumor effects in mice challenged with Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells. It prolonged the survival of all mice and protected a number of mice from tumor growth, probably by enhancing the activity of the immune system (Subramanian et al., 1996). Withaferin A, a steroidal lactone isolated from the roots of Withania somnifera, reduced survival of V79 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The applicability of this drug as a radiosensitizer in cancer therapy needs to be explored (Devi et al., 1996). Banerjee et al., 1996, have studied the modulatory influence of the alcoholic extract of leaves of Ocimum sanctum on various enzyme levels in the liver, lung and stomach of mouse. Oral treatment with the extract significantly elevated the activities of cytochrome P450, cytochrome b5, arylhydrocarbon hydroxylase and glutathione Stransferase enzyme, all of which are important in the detoxification of carcinogens as well as mutagens. Moreover, it also significantly elevated extra-hepatic glutathione Stransferase and reduced glutathione levels in the lever, lung, and stomach. These observations suggest that the leaf extract or its active principles may have a potential role in the chemoprevention of chemical carcinogenesis (Banerjee et al., 1996). Petroleum ether extract of Hygrophilic spinosa exhibited anti-tumor activity in Ehlrich ascites carcinoma and sacroma 180 bearing mice (Mazumdar et al., 1997). Page 19 of 113 Aqueous extract of Podophyllum hexandrum, a herb from the Himalayas, demonstrated significant antitumor effects when drug was tested in strain ‘A’ mice carrying solid tumors developed by transplanting Ehlrich ascites tumor cells. Radioprotective effects were also seen when the drug was administrated to mice before whole body lethal irradiation of 10 Gy (Goel et al., 1998). The chemopreventive efficacy of Trianthema portulacastrum L. Aizoaceae was tested in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Hepatocarcinogenesis was induced by the potent carcinogen diethylnitrosoamine (DENA). Treatment of the rats with aqueous, ethanolic and chloroform fractions of the plant extract at a dose of 100 mg/kg once daily reduced the incidence, numerical preponderance, multiplicity and size distribution of visible neoplastic nodules. Morphometric evaluation of focal lesions showed a reduction in number of altered liver cell foci per square centimeter as well as of average area of individual lesion. A decrease in the percentage of liver parenchyma occupied by foci seems to suggest the anticarcinogenic potential of the plant extract in DENA-induced hepatocarcinogenesis (Bhattacharya et al., 1998). Pretreatment with Ocimum sanctum leaf extract followed by the addition of 7, 12dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) significantly blocked the formation of DMBA-DNA adducts in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes invitro. The viability of the cells was not adversely affected by the extract (Prashar et al., 1998). Table 3.1: List of plants reported for their anticancer activity Species Family Part used Reference Allium sativum Liliaceae Bulbs Hirsh et al., 2000 Aristolochia triangularis Aristolochiaceae Bark Mongelli et al., 2000 Barringtonia racemosa Lecythidaceae Bark MacKeen et al., 1997 Betula platyphylla Cupuliferae Boscia senegalensis Capparidaceae Leaves Ali et al.,2002 Catalpa bignonioides Bignoniaceae Seeds Muñoz et al., 2003 Whole plant Ju et al., 2004 Page 20 of 113 Celastrus orbiculatus Clerodendrum myricoides Celestraceae Root Verbenaceae Root bark Kamuhabwa et al., 2000 Clematis chinensis Ranunculaceae Crocus sativus Iridaceae Stigma Croton palanostigma Euphorbiaceae Sap Cunuria spruceane Jin et al.,, 2002 Euphorbiaceae Whole plant Qiu et al., 1999 Root, Root bark Nair et al., 1995 Sandoval et al., 2002 Gunasekera et al.,1979 Cupressus lusitanica Cupressaceae Leaves Lopéz et al., 2002 Dendrostellera lessertii Thymelaeaceae Leaves Sadeghi et al., 2003 Dioscorea birmanica Dioscoriaceae Whole plant Woerdnbeg et al., 1986 Emblica officinalis Euphorbiaceae Fruits Emilia sonchifolia Compositae Eurycoma longifolia Simaroubaceae Leaves Garcinia atroviridis Guttiferae Stem bark Jose et al., 2001 Whole plant Shylesh, et al., 2000 Jiwajinda et al., 2002 Mackeen et al., 2000 Lirdprapamongkol Helixanthera parasitica Loranthaceae Whole plant K, et al., 2003 Hippophae salicifolia Elaeagnaceae Humulus lupulus Cannabaceae Fruit Uniyal et al., 1990 Whole plant Goun et al., 2002 Page 21 of 113 Iris germanica Iridaceae Bulbs Bonfils et al., 2001 Jatropha elliptica Euphorbiaceae Tuber Calixto et al., 1987. Kigelia Africana Bignoniaceae Rootbark Msonthi et al., 1983 Leptadenia hastate Asclepiadaceae Bark Aquino et al., 1995 Myrtaceae Aerial parts Mayer et al., 1993 Leptospermum scoparium Lithraea molleoides Melastoma malabathricum Anacardiaceae Whole plant Ruffa et al., 2002 Mohandoss et al., Melastomataceae Flowers 1993 Moringa oleifera Lam Moringaceae Nyssa sinensis Oliv. Nyssaceae Rootbark Luo et al., 1991 Oenanthe javanica Umbelliferae Entire plant Duke et al., 1985 Oldenlandia diffusa Rubiaceae Entire plant Wong et al., 1993 Phyllanthus amarus Euphorbiaceae Aerial parts Joy et al., 1998 Plantago afra Plantaginaceae Leaves Loranthaceae Leaves Psittacanthus calyculatus Whole plant Dhawan et al., 1980 Gálvez et al., 2003 Zee Cheng et al., 1997 Psoralea corylifolia Fabaceae; Seeds Yang et al., 1996. Rhus longipes Anacardiaceae Root Chhabra et al., 1991 Solanum lyratum Solanaceae Aerial parts Terminalia chebula Combretaceae Fruits Lee et al., 1997 Saleem et al., 2002 Page 22 of 113 Leaves,caps Verbascum Thapsus Scrophulariaceae Virola bicuhyba Myristicaceae Seed Plotkin et al., 1990 Xeromphis obovata Rubiaceae Rootbark Sibanda et al., 1989 Zanthoxylum oxyphyllum Rutaceae Fruit ules Turker et al., 2002 Suwal, 1970. Page 23 of 113 3.2 Anti-Cancer Phytochemicals – A Review A) Flavonoids Despite the tremendous advancements in the understanding and treatment of cancer, there is no sure-fire cure for a variety of cancers to date. Therefore, natural protection against cancer has recently been receiving a great deal of attention not only from cancer patients but, surprisingly, from physicians as well. Phytoestrogens, plantderived secondary metabolites, are normally divided into three main classes: flavonoids, coumestans and lignans. Flavonoids are found in almost all plant families. Flavonoids are present in different plant parts including the leaves, stems, roots, flowers and seeds and are among the most popular anti-cancer candidates worldwide. Flavonoidic derivatives have a wide range of biological actions such as antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and anti-allergic activities. Some of these benefits are attributed to the potent antioxidant effects of flavonoids, which include metal chelation and free-radical scavenging activities (Amin et al., 2007). Flavonoids are the most abundant active ingredients in plants species. Wide varieties of plant derived flavonoids are naturally present in the human diet or are normally consumed for medicinal reasons. Flavonoids are reported to inhibit specific enzymes, which include hydrolases, oxidoreductase, DNA synthases, RNA polymerases, lipoxygenase and gluthation S-transferase. They also block several digestive enzymes, including α-amylase, trypsin and lipase (Koshihara et al., 1984; Griffiths, 1986 Reddy et al., 1994; Sadik et al., 2003). As a result, a rising number of authorized physicians are prescribing pure flavonoids to treat many important common diseases. Dragon's blood is the popular name for a dark-red viscous sap produced by Croton lechleri. This herb is used in folk medicine as an anti-inflammatory (Pieters et al., 1993), anti-microbial (Ubillas, 1994) and anticancer (Hartwell, 1969; Lopes, 2004). Similarly, crude extracts from plants like Colubrina macrocarpa, Hemiangium excelsum and Acacia pennatula have been shown to possess a selective cytotoxic activity against human tumor cells KB, HCT-15 COLADCAR and UISO-SQC-1 (Popoca et al., 1998). Another member of the family Leguminosae has been shown to have significant antibreast cancer potential (Amin et al., 2005). In that study, we have shown that Fenugreek can significantly protect rats against drug-induced breast cancer. Page 24 of 113 Both the whole plant and the roots of Plumbago zeylanica L. are commonly used in the treatment of rheumatic pain, dysmenorrhea, carbuncles, contusion of the extremities, ulcers and elimination of intestinal parasites (Chopra et al., 2006). Pharmacological studies carried out by several workers have also indicated that P. zeylanica L. extract possesses antiplasmodial (Simonsen et al., 2001), antimicrobial (Durga et al., 1990), antihyperglycemic (Olagunju et al., 1999), insecticidal (Kubo et al., 1983) and antiallergic (Dai et al., 2004) properties. P. zeylanica L. extract also stimulates the central nervous system (Bopaiah et al., 2001) and is cytotoxic to tumor cells (Lin et al., 2003). In the Palestinian and Israeli territories, extracts of Teucrium polium and Pistacia lentiscus, among others, are known to treat liver disease, jaundice, diabetes, fertility problems and cancer. Most recently, extracts of these two plants have been shown not to be toxic in addition to effectively suppress Fe2+-induced lipid peroxidation. As the aerial parts of Teucrium polium and Pistacia lentiscus are rich in flavonoids, it was concluded that the ability of these plants to suppress Fe2+-induced lipid peroxidation was mediated by flavonoids (Ljubuncic et al., 2005). In Saudi Arabia, aerial parts of Commiphora opobalsamum (L.) (Balessan) are commonly used to treat various diseases. However, its potential use in stomach problems and cancer has been reported only recently. Flavonoids, saponins, volatile oil, sterol and triterpenes have all been revealed in Balessan and thus might contribute to its anticancer activity (Howiriny et al., 2005). Among many other effects, Apium graveolens L. [celery, family: Umbelliferae], is particularly known for its anti-cancer (Sultana et al., 2005) and antioxidant effects (Momin et al., 2002). Phytochemical investigations of celery seeds revealed the presence of terpenes like limonene, flavonoids like apigenin and phthalide glycosides. Apigenin is an antioxidant that was documented as one of the major celery's active principals in Apium graveolens (Miean et al., 2001). The efficacy of celery as an anti-cancer remedy may then be attributed to the presence of flavonoids, particularily apigenin in its extract (Hamza et al., 2007). Apigenin is a widely distributed plant flavonoid that was recently reported as an antitumor agent. Apigenin inhibits the growth of human cervical carcinoma cells by activating apoptosis, Confirmation of induction of apigenin-induced apotosis in HeLa Page 25 of 113 cells was confirmed by DNA fragmentation assays and induction of sub-G1 phase by flow cytometry. Recent findings suggest that apigenin is a strong candidate for development as an anti-cervical cancer agent. Apigenin’s preventive effect is shown to be mediated through induction of p53 expression, which causes cell cycle arrest and apoptosis (Duthie et al., 2000; Pei-Wen et al., 2005). Butein is another polyphenolic compound, which can be extracted from Rhus verniciflua or the heartwood of Dalbergia odorifera. It induces apoptosis in HL-60 cells (Kim et al., 2001) and B16 melanoma cells (Iwashita et al., 2000) by regulating BCL-2 family proteins. Other properties, such as anti-inflammatory activities (Chan et al.,1998), antinephritic effects (Hayashi et al., 1996), antioxidant properties (Lee et al., 2002), have been documented as well. Only recently have butein's potential as a pharmacological agent been extended to the modulation of estrogen metabolism. This effect could be essential in the prevention and treatment of estrogen-responsive breast cancers (Wang et al., 2005). B) Tannins Tannins, phenolic phytochemicals, which are natural constituents of green tea, are considered to have cancer-preventive properties (Lambert et al., 2003; Keil et al., 2004). Condensed tannins, isolated from black beans, did not affect the growth of normal cells, but induced cell death in cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. This cell death was associated with a concentration-dependent decrease of ATP and a deterioration of cellular gross morphology (Swami et al., 2003; Bawadi et al., 2005). Sorghum is a rich source of various phytochemicals including tannins. Relative to other cereals or fruits, sorghum fractions possess high antioxidant activity. These fractions may offer similar health benefits commonly associated with fruits. Sorghum was adapted to grow in the U.A.E. environment, and was found to contain reasonable levels of dietary fiber, minerals and antioxidants to replace part of wheat flour in wheat-based food products (Ragaee et al., 2005). Available epidemiological evidence suggests that Sorghum consumption reduces the risk of certain types of cancer in humans compared to other cereals. The high concentration of phytochemicals in sorghum may be responsible for its protective effects (Rooney et al., 1983; Awika et al., 2004). Page 26 of 113 C) Alkaloids Historic medicinal practice used Cat's Claw, also known Uncaria tomentosa, as an effective treatment for several health disorders, which include chronic inflammation, gastrointestinal dysfunction such as ulcers, tumors and infections. The efficacy of Cat's Claw was originally believed to be due to the presence of oxindole alkaloids. Watersoluble Cat's Claw extracts were shown not to contain significant amounts of alkaloids (<0.05%), and yet still were shown to be very effective. Most recently, the active ingredients of a water-soluble Cat's Claw extract were shown to inhibit cell growth without cell death, thus providing enhanced opportunities for DNA repair, immune stimulation, anti-inflammation and cancer prevention (Blumenthal et al., 2003; Sheng et al., 2005). These active ingredients were chemically defined as quinic acid esters and were also bioactive in vivo as quinic acid. D) Saponins An Iranian experimental study with mice indicated that saffron (Crocus sativus L.) stigma and petal extracts exhibited antinociceptive effects in chemical pain tests and acute and/or chronic anti-inflammatory activity. It was suggested that these effects of saffron extracts might be due to their content of flavonoids, tannins, anthocyanins, alkaloids, and saponins. Studies in animal models and with cultured human malignant cell lines have demonstrated both the antitumor and cancer preventive activities of saffron and its main ingredients. Many possible mechanisms for these activities have been proposed. On-going clinical trials that use actual reduction of cancer incidence as the primary endpoint may soon provide a direct evidence of the anticancer effectiveness of saffron (Abdullaev et al., 2004). The aqueous root extracts of some Astragalus species are used to treat leukemia and promote wound healing (Bedir et al., 2000). The roots of Astragalus species (Fabaceae) are known to be rich in polysaccharides and saponins (Yesilada et al., 2005). Astragalus L., the largest genus in the family Leguminosae is represented by thirty-two species in Egypt. Some species of this genus have been reported as having immunostimulant, cardiovascular and antiviral activities (Rios et al., 1997). Extracts of Astragalus kahiricus have been shown to have a reproducible cytotoxicity against the A 2780 ovarian cancer cell line, with an IC50 value of 25 μg/mL (Radwan et al., 2004). Page 27 of 113 Tribulus terrestris, a member of the family Zygophyllaceae, is widely distributed in the entire Gulf region. Saponin from Tribulus is also known for its hypoglycemic effect. In our recent study, ethanolic extract of Tribulus has shown a significant antioxidant activity against STZ-induced diabetes (Amin et al., 2006). In a search for new anticancer agents, a novel compound polyphyllin D (PD) (diosgenylα-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-(α-Larabinofuranosyl)-(1→4)]-[β D glucopyranoside) has been identified was shown to induce DNA fragmentation in a hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2) derivative with drug resistance (R-HepG2). PD is a saponin originally found in a tradition Chinese medicinal herb Paris polyphylla. It has been used to treat liver cancer in China for many years. PD has been reported as a potent anticancer agent that can overcome drug resistance in R-HepG2 cells and elicit programmed cell death via mitochondrial dysfunction (Henry et al., 2002; Cheung et al., 2005). Five saponins (diosgenin, hecogenin, tigogenin, sarsasapogenin, smilagenin) have been tested for their biological activities on human 1547 osteosarcoma cells. All examined saponins have shown a significant role on tested cell line in term of proliferation rate, cell cycle distribution and apoptosis induction (Cheung et al., 2005). A bacterial metabolite of ginseng saponin (20-O-(--Glucopyranosyl)-20(S)protopanaxadiol; IH901) is suggested to be a potential chemopreventive agent. IH901 induces apoptosis in human hepatoblastoma HepG2 cells. IH901 led to an early activation of both procaspase-3 and caspase-8. Available data suggest that the activation of caspase-8 after early caspase-3 activation might act as an amplification loop necessary for successful apoptosis. Primary hepatocytes isolated from normal Sprague–Dawley rats were not affected by IH901 (0–60 M). The very low toxicity in normal hepatocytes and high activity in hepatoblastoma HepG2 cells suggest that IH901 is a promising experimental cancer chemopreventive agent (Bosch et al., 1999; Oh et al., 2004). E) Sterols/Triterpines Phytosterols, especially -sitosterol, are plant sterols that have been shown to exert protective effects against cardiovascular diseases and many types of cancer (Moghadasian, 2000; Awad et al., 2004). They have been reported to protect against cancer development, however, the mechanism of this protection remains unknown even though several different mechanisms have been proposed (Raicht et al., 1980; Rao et al., Page 28 of 113 1992; Awad et al., 2000a; Awad et al., 2000b). Prostatic 5-reductase and prostatic aromatase activities were decreased in rats supplemented with phytosterols (Mettlin, 1999; Awad et al., 1998) indicating that they may suppress prostate metabolism and growth. In independent studies, sitosterol has been shown to alter tumor growth (Hannun et al., 1994; Awad et al., 1996). The incorporation of sitosterol in the membranes of HT29 cells resulted in a significant decrease in sphingomyelin and an increase in phosphatidylcholine (Hannun et al., 1994). Thus, the inhibition of tumor growth could be explained by the effect of phytosterols on the sphingomyelin cycle and increased production of ceramide, which suggest an alteration of signal transduction pathways (Leikin et al., 1989; Tapiero et al., 2003). Previous studies on the cancer chemopreventive effects of natural sources (Nakamura et al., 2002a) have shown gallic acid and methyl gallate, which were isolated from Juca fruits of Caesalpinia ferrea (Leguminosae), as the active constituents. These studies were conducted using the Epstein–Barr virus early antigen activation assay (Ito et al., 1981; Nakamura et al., 2002b). Page 29 of 113 3.3 Selected plants – A Review A) Madhuca longifolia L Plant Name: Madhuca longifolia Family: Sapotaceae Common Name: English: Indian Butter Tree Hindi : Mahua Bengali: Maul Marathi: Kat-illipi Malayalam: Illupa Fig 3.1: Leaves of Madhuca longifolia Telugu: Ippa Synonyms: Bassia latifolia, Illipe latifolia, Madhuca indica, Madhuca latifolia Parts used: Leaf, root, seed and bark. Habitat: The plant grows in all the plains and lower hills of India up to 1200 meters, and is at certain places, a chief constituent of the forest vegetation. It is a large deciduous tree with rather shorter bole, but larger crown. It grows 13-16 meters in height, and bark grayish black, scaly. The leaves, 10-20 cm long, thick leathery, pointed at tip, with 10-12 prominent veins. The flowers strongly musk-scented, falling at dawn, fleshy, pale or dull white, in clusters near the ends of branches. The fruits, 2.5-5 cm long, ovoid berries, yellow when ripe. The tree blooms in the summer and bears fruits in rainy season. Chemical Constituents: The seeds contain 55% stable oil. From the flowers, liquor is obtained by distillation. Since centuries, the flowers are used in Ayurvedic Pharmacy in manufacturing various asavas and aristas (herbs, eigher in their fresh juice – arista, or their decoction – asava. From fruits, sucrose, sitosterol, a sterol glucoside from nuts, and amyrin acetate, capryloxyerythridiol and capryloxyoleanolic acid isolated. From the bark lupeol acetate, amyrin acetate, spinasterol, erythrodiol monocaprylate, betulinic acid and oleanolic acids caprylates, rhamnose, glucose and galactose isolated. Polysaccharides PSAI & PS-A II, isolated from flowers, constitute galactose, glucose, arabinose and glucoronic acid (Prajapati et al., 2003; Chandra et al.,2001). it also contains oleananetype triterpene glycosides (Kazuko et al., 2000). Properties: Madhuka is sweet in taste, sweet in the post digestive effect and has cold potency. It alleviates vata and pitta doshas. It possesses heavy and oily (snigdha) Page 30 of 113 attributes. The dried flowers have hot potency. The fruits alleviate kapha and vata doshas. It has anabolic and rejuvenative properties and is used in diseases like tuberculosis, blood diseases, asthma, burning sensation and thirst. Uses: The flowers, seeds and seed oil of madhuka have great medicinal value. Externally, the seed oil massage is very effective to alleviate pain (Chandra et al.,2001). In skin diseases, the juice of flowers is rubbed for oleation. It is also beneficial as a nasya (nasal drops) in diseases of the head due to pitta, like sinusitis. The seed oil is used in manufacturing of soaps and is used as an edible also. Internally, madhuka is used in vast range of diseases (Dahake et al., 2010a). The decoction of the flowers is a valuable remedy for pitta diseases. As a general tonic, the powder of flowers works well with ghee and honey. The decoction of flowers quenches the thirst effectively. Because of its astringent property, madhu karista is salutary in diarrhea and colitis. In raktapitta, the fresh juice of flowers is used with great benefit to arrest the bleeding. The flowers play an important role in augmention the breast milk in lactating mothers and in boosting the quantity of seminal fluids also. Madhuka is benedicial in urinary ailments like burning micturition and dehydration, fever, tuberculosis etc. The combination of the powders of the bark skin of madhuka, pippali and marica fruits, rhizomes of vaca and salt in equal parts is used in the form of nasal drops, in the treatment of epilepsy, with excellent benefit. Madhuka is the best nervine and salutary in the diseases due to vata. The nasya-nasal therapy is useful in hysteria, cough and sinusitis. The bark skin powder is given along with ghee and honey to improve the vitality and sexual vigor. The plant is also used in the hyperglycemic condition (Dahake et al., 2010a; Ghosh, 2009 ). Page 31 of 113 B) Adina cordifolia L Plant name: Adina cordifolia Family: Rubiaceae Common name: Bengali : Keli-kadam Hindi : Haldu Sanskrit : Dharakadanba Fig 3.2: Leaves of Adina cordifolia Synonyms: Haldina cordifolia, Adina ledermanii (hallealedermannii), Adina pilulifera (Cephalanthus), Adina rubella, Nauclea cordifolia. Parts used: Leaf, root, seed and bark. Habitat: A moderate sized deciduous tree grows up to 35 m in height. Leaves large, cordate, abruptly acuminate. Flowers yellow in globose pedunculate heads; fruits capsules, splitting into two dehiscent cocci, seeds many, narrow, small, and tailed. It occurs frequently but scattered in deciduous forest in the lowland and lower hills. In Burma (Myanmar) and Thailand it is often associated with teak (Tectonagrandis L.f.) India, Sri Lanka, Burma (Myanmar), Indo-China Southern China, Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia (very rare) (Asolkar et al., 1992). Chemical Constituents:- It contains 10-deoxyadifoline, 10-deoxycordifoline indole alkaloid, cordifoline, adifoline. Di-OH-tetra-OMe flavone has been isolated from defatted heartwood. Oleoresin obtained from incision of trunk yields essential oil (5.2- 6.8%). Stem contains yellow coloring matter, napthaquinone and adinin (Asolkar et al., 1992). The leaves contain ursolic acid and quercetin. It also contains 7-hydroxycoumarin (umbelliferone), D-glucosylcoumarin (skimmin). Properties: A. cordifolia is a medium-weight to heavy hardwood with a density of 570895 kg/m cunic at 15% moisture content. Yellow when fresh, turning pale yellow or reddish-brown on exposure. Uses:- It has been used in oriental medicine since ancient times as an essential component of various antiseptic and febrifuge prescriptions (Chopra et al., 2006b). The bark is acrid and bitter and is used in biliousness. The roots are used as an astringent in dysentery (Chadha et al., 1985). The A. cordifolia stem has been evaluated for its antiulcer Page 32 of 113 potential. It is also used as Febrifuge, Antiseptic, Anti-fertility, Anti-inflammatory, Antirheumatoid, Bitter tonic, Anti-cancer, Anti-microbial. C) Sida veronicaefolia L Plant name : Sida Veronicaefolia Family : Malvaceae Common name : Bengali : Junka Hindi : Bhiunli Tamil : Palampasi Synonyms: Rajbala, Bhumibala, Farid buti, Shaktibala etc. Fig 3.3: Leaves of Sida veronicaefolia Habitat: It is a straggling way side herb found very often growing in shady places. It grows mainly in clearing in the forest and as weeds in the over grown grass of public parks and gardens (Lutterodt, 1988b; Warrier et al., 1996). Chemical constituents: Phenenthylamines, quinazoline, gossypol, sterculic acid, linoleic acid etc. It has muscarine like active principle (Lutterodt, 1988a; Warrier et al., 1996). Uses: It has haemostatic, analgesic and wound healing properties. Paste of either root or leaves is used in bleeding disorders and wounds. Being a nervine and brain tonic, it is useful loss of memory and vata disorders.Unctuous, laxative. Useful in acid-peptic disorder and constipation (Warrier et al., 1996). It is effective in cough. dyspnoea, bronchitis, tuberculosis and hoarseness of voice. Aphrodisiac and useful in semen debility. Being diuretic, it is used in retention of urine, dysuria and gonorrhea. Useful in fevers. Being a tonic it is useful in general debility and muscle wasting. Soup of this plant is taken in the last days of pregnancy. It has a capability to remove the three doshas from the body, and to provide strength and glow to the body (Lutterodt, 1988a). D) Literature Review of the Selected Plant Kazuko Yoshikawa et al (2000) isolated four new oleanane-type triterpene glycosides, madlongisides A−D, from the seeds of Madhuca longifolia, and their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive NMR experiments and chemical methods. They also obtained in this investigation, were the known compounds Page 33 of 113 mimusopside A, Mi-saponins A, B, and C, and 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl protobassic acid (Kazuko et al., 2000). R. Ghosh (2009) studied the anti-hyperglycemic activity of madhuca longifolia in alloxan -induced diabetic rats. The hydroethanolic extract of the leaves of madhuca longifolia was administered orally to alloxan–induced diabetic rats and investigated for its antidiabetic properties (Ghosh, 2009). Administration of 150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg extract (once a day, for thirty consecutive days) significantly lowered blood glucose levels. Furthermore, the activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, serum triglycerides, HDL and total cholesterol levels showed marked improvement which indicates that the hydroethanolic extract possesses antihyperglycemic activity. Gaikwad et al (2009) studied the Anti-inflammatory activity of ethanol extract and saponin mixture of madhuca longifolia using acute (carrageenan-induced inflammation), sub-acute (formaldehyde-induced inflammation), and chronic (cotton pellet granuloma) models of inflammation in rats. Saponins alone seem to be responsible for the anti-inflammatory activity in the studied models. MLEE (Madhuca longifolia ethanol extract) at a dose level of 10 and 15 mg/kg and Madhuca longifolia saponin mixture (MLSM) at a dose level of 1.5 and 3 mg/kg significantly reduced the edema induced by carrageenan in acute model of inflammation, inhibiting both phases of inflammation. Both the extracts had a more effective response than the reference drug diclofenac sodium in the sub-acute inflammation model. Results indicated a significant anti-inflammatory activity by Madhuca longifolia saponins in cotton pellet granuloma (Gaikwad et al., 2009). Mangesh Khond et al., (2009) were evaluated Antimicrobial activities of 55 plant extracts against twelve microbial strains using macrobroth dilution assay. Twenty one extracts exhibited antimicrobial activity against the tested microorganisms in range of 0.20 to 6.25 mg/ml. Extracts from Madhuca longifolia, Parkia biglandulosa, Pterospermum acerifolium showed highest antimicrobial potential among the tested plants (MIC 0.20-12.5 mg/ml). Bio-assays showed presence of multiple specifically active compounds at different R values in various plant extracts. Acetone and ethanol extract of M. longifolia, P. biglandulosa; P. acerifolium shows greater antibacterial Page 34 of 113 activity as compared to their water extracts and could be the potential source to develop new antimicrobial agents (Khond et al., 2009). Akash P. Dahake et al (2010) studied the anti-hyperglycemic effects of methanolic extract of Madhuca longifolia bark in normal, glucose loaded and streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. All three animal groups were administered the methanolic extract of Madhuca longifolia at a dose of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight (p.o.) and the standard drug glibenclamide at a dose of 500 μg/kg. Serum glucose level was determined on days 0, 7, 14 and 21 of treatment. The extract exhibited a dose dependent hypoglycemic activity in all three animal models as compared with the standard antidiabetic agent glibenclamide. The hypoglycemia produced by the extract may be due to the increased glucose uptake at the tissue level and/or an increase in pancreatic β-cell function, or due to inhibition of intestinal glucose absorption. The study indicated the methanolic extract of Madhuca longifolia to be a potential antidiabetic agent, lending scientific support for its use in folk medicine (Dahake et al., 2010a). Marikkar et al., (2010) characterized the seed fat from Madhuca longifolia known as Mee fat and its solid and liquid fractions with the objective of distinguishing them. A sample of Mee fat was partitioned into solid and liquid fractions using acetone as the solvent medium. The isolated fractions were compared to the native Mee fat sample with respect to various physico-chemical parameters using standard chemical methods as well as instrumental techniques such as, gas liquid chromatography (GLC), reversedphase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Basic analyses indicated that there were wide variations between the native sample and its fractions with respect to iodine value (IV), and slip melting point (SMP). The cloud point (CP) of the liquid fraction was found to be 10.5 degrees C. Fatty acid compositional analyses showed that the proportion of saturated fatty acids (SFA) such as palmitic and stearic went up in the high-melting fraction (HMF) while in lowmelting fraction (LMF) the proportion of unsaturated fatty acid (USFA) such as oleic and lenoleic increased. According to the HPLC analyses, Mee fat had a tiacyl glycerol (TAG) sequence similar to that of palm oil. After fractionation, the solid and liquid fractions obtained were found to have TAG profiles very much different from the native sample. Thermal analyses by DSC showed that Mee fat had two-widely separated high and low Page 35 of 113 melting thermal transitions, a feature which was beneficial for the effective separation of solid and liquid fractions. The thermal profiles displayed by the fractions were clearly distinguishable from that of the native sample (Marikkar et al., 2010). Akash P. Dahake et al., (2010) studied the antioxidant activity of the methanolic extract of the bark of Madhuca longifolia by free radical scavenging activity using 1,1diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazil (DPPH), reducing power assay and superoxide scavenging activity. The results of the assay were then compared with a natural antioxidant ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and gallic acid. The ethanolic extract of the bark of Madhuca longifolia is a good source of compounds with antioxidant properties while the extract also exhibited significant free radical scavenging activity, reducing power activity and superoxide scavenging activity (Dahake et al., 2010b). Srirangam Prashanth et al., (2010) was explore the antihyperglycemic and antioxidant potential of ethanolic bark extract of Madhuca longifolia (ML) in healthy, glucose loaded and streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. All three animal groups were administered with the ethanolic extract of Madhuca longifolia at a dose of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight (p.o.) and the standard drug glibenclamide at a dose of 500 μg/kg. Serum glucose level was determined on days 0, 7, 14 and 21 of treatment. The extract exhibited a dose dependent hypoglycemic activity in all three animal models as compared with the standard antidiabetic agent glibenclamide. The antioxidant activity of the bark was evaluated by free radical scavenging activity using 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazil (DPPH), reducing power assay and superoxide scavenging activity. The results of the assay were then compared with a natural antioxidant ascorbic acid (vitamin C). The hypoglycemia produced by the extract may be due to the increased glucose uptake at the tissue level and/or an increase in pancreatic β-cell function, or due to inhibition of intestinal glucose absorption and a good source of compounds with antioxidant properties. Finally the study indicated the ethanolic extract of Madhuca longifolia to be a potential antidiabetic and antioxidant properties and the extract also exhibited significant free radical scavenging activity and superoxide scavenging activity (Srirangam et al., 2010). Smita Sharma et al., (2010) studied the wound healing activity of ethanolic extracts of leaves and bark of Madhuca longifolia .Ethanolic extract of leaves and bark of Page 36 of 113 Madhuca longifolia was examined for wound healing potential in the form of 5%w/w ointment in the excision wound created on the dorsal side of experimental animals, the 5% w/w extract should considerable difference in wound models and the result were compatable to that of the standard drug Betadine (5% w/w) in terms of wound contracting ability and wound closure time. Antibacterial activity of ethanolic extract of the plant was also carried out as a supporting evidence for its wound healing potential. The mean percentage wound closure was calculated on the 8th, 11th, 13th, 15th and 19th wounding days. The extract treated animals showed tastes epithelisation of wound (17.86 ± 0.19 and 14.81±0.67) bark and leaves respectively then the control. The period of epithelisation 11.8±037 in case of standard drug 5% betadine ointment (Sharma et al., 2010). Goutam Kumar Jana et al., (2011) evaluated the Pharmacological Potentials of methanolic leaf Extract of Madhuca longifolia (Sopteacae) against Pyrexia. They investigate the antipyretic potential of methanolic extract of Madhuca longifolia leaf in normal, yeast induced rats. All three groups of animals (n=6) were fasted over night. Group-I received standard drug, Group-II received vehicle only while Group-III was administered the methanolic extract of Madhuca longifolia at a dose of 250 mg/kg body weight (oral) and the standard drug paracetamol at a dose of 30 mg/kg in 0.5% w/v of SLS. The study indicated the methanolic extract of Madhuca longifolia to be a potential antipyretic agent, proving its scientific bases for its use in folk medicine (Jana et al., 2011). Sabir and Razdan (1970), studied the anti-fertility activity of leaf extract of Adina cordifolia (Sabir et al., 1970). Srivatsava and Gupta (1983), isolated a new flavanone from Adina cordifolia (Srivatsava et al., 1983). Rao et al., (2002), studied about the isolation and structural elucidation of 3,4’,5,7 - tetra acetyl quercetin from the heart wood of Adina cordifolia (Rao et al., 2002). GD Lutterodt (1988) founds abortifacient properties of an extract from Sida Veronicaefolia. A fraction from an alcoholic extract of Sida veronicaefolia, previously reported to be a potent oxytocic, was studied for its abortifacient effects in pregnant rats. Oral doses producing the abortifacient effects were greater than or equal to 32 ml/kg Page 37 of 113 when administered from the 15th-17th day of pregnancy. Similar effects were produced by intravenous doses of greater than or equal to 3 ml/kg. At the minimum effective oral dose of 32 ml/kg, those animals that carried the conceptuses to term (40%) had litters with reduced average number/litter and weight. At twice this dose, only 10% delivered and the litters were sickly. The effects of intravenous administration of the extract were similar but more pronounced and included also some unique acute effects (Lutterodt, 1988b). Manisha Pandey et al., (2009) founds the Sida Veronicaefolia as a Source of Natural Antioxidant The antioxidant activity of hexane, chloroform, hydro-alcoholic and aqueous extract of whole plant of Sida veronicaefolia (family Malvaceae) was evaluated using in-vitro models, DPPH free radical scavenging,scavenging of hydrogen peroxide and reducing power method (Pandey, 2009). Page 38 of 113 4. PLAN OF WORK Selection of the plants. Procurement and authentication of the plants. Extraction of plant material with different solvents in their increasing order of polarity. Preliminary phytochemical studies of the plant extracts. Carrying out the In-vitro cytotoxicity studies of the extracts of selected plants. Carrying out the acute toxicological studies of the plants taken under consideration. Carrying out the pharmacological studies on the selected extracts of medicinal plants for its anticancer activity. Page 39 of 113 5. MATERIALS AND METHODS 5.1 Selection of the plant The present study is to evaluate the anticancer activity of M. longifolia, A. cordifolia and S. veronicaefolia based on the literature review and discussion with the traditional medical practitioners of the Ujjain, Bhanpura and Bhopal (M.P.), India. 5.2 Collection and authentification of the plant The Leaves of M. longifolia, A. cordifolia and S. veronicaefolia were collected from National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow and Sanjivini Botanical Garden, Bhopal, India in month of June-July 2009. The plant materials were authenticated by Dr. Sayeeda Khatoon, chemotaxonomist and the voucher specimens were deposited in the departmental herbarium of TIT - Pharmacy for future reference (TIT-PY/HREB/2009/1416). 5.3 Preparation of crude drug for extraction The selected plant leaves were used for the preparation of the extract. The plants leaves were collected and dried under shade and then coarsely powdered with the help of mechanical grinder. The powder was passed through sieve No. 16 and stored in an airtight container for the extraction (Farnsworth et al., 1966). 5.4 Physico-chemical evaluation The dried and stored powder of plant leaves were subjected to standard procedure for the determination of various physicochemical parameters A) Determination of ash values The determination of ash values is meant for detecting low-grade products, exhausted drugs and sandy or earthy matter. It can also be utilized as a mean of detecting the chemical constituents by making use of water-soluble ash and acid insoluble ash (Khandelwal, 2004). 1) Total ash value Accurately about 3 gm of air dried powder of plants leaves were weighed in a tared silica crucible and incinerated at a temperature not exceeding 4500C until free from carbon, cooled and weighed and then the percentage of total ash with reference to the air dried powdered drug was calculated (Khandelwal, 2004). Page 40 of 113 2) Acid insoluble ash The ashes obtained in the above method were boiled for 5 minutes with 25ml of dilute HCl. The residue was collected on ash less filter paper and washed with hot water, ignited and weighed. The percentage of acid insoluble ash was calculated with reference to the air dried drug (Khandelwal, 2004). 3) Water soluble ash The ash obtained in total ash was boiled for 5 minutes with 25 ml of water. The insoluble matter was collected on an ash less filter paper, washed with hot water and ignited to constant weight at a low temperature. The weight of insoluble matter was subtracted from the weight of the ash. The difference in weights represents the water soluble ash. The percentage of water soluble ash with reference to the air dried drug was calculated (Khandelwal, 2004). B) Determination of extractive values 1) Procedure 5 gm of coarsely powdered air dried drug was macerated with 100 ml of solvent (petroleum ether, chloroform, acetone, ethanol and water) in a closed flask for 24 hour, shaking frequently for six hours and allowed to stand for eighteen hours. It was then filtered rapidly taking precaution against loss of alcohol. 25 ml of the filtrate was evaporated to dryness in tared flat bottomed shallow dish, dried at 1050c and weighed. The percentage of alcohol soluble extractive was calculated with reference to the air dried drug (Khandelwal, 2004). 5.6 Extraction of dried leaves by using various solvents of increasing polarity The collected, cleaned and powdered leaves of Madhuca longifolia, Adina cordifolia and Sida veronicaefolia were used for the extraction purpose. 500 gm of powdered material was evenly packed in the soxhlet apparatus. It was then extracted with various solvents from non-polar to polar such as petroleum ether, chloroform, acetone and ethanol. The solvents used were purified before use. The extraction method used was continuous hot percolation and carried out with various solvents, for 72 hrs. The aqueous extraction was carried out by cold-maceration process. The extracts were concentrated by vacuum distillation to reduce the volume to 1/10; the concentrated extracts were Page 41 of 113 transferred to 100ml beaker and the remaining solvent was evaporated on a water bath. Then they were cooled and placed in a dessicator to remove the excessive moisture. The dried extracts were packed in airtight containers and used for further studies (Kokate et al., 2008). 5.8 Preliminary phytochemical studies (Gothoskar et al., 1971; Kokate et al., 2008; Khandelwal, 2004) A) Tests for Carbohydrates and Glycosides A small quantity of the extracts was dissolved separately in 4 ml of distilled water and filtered. The filtrate was subjected to various tests to detect the presence of Carbohydrates. 1) Molisch’s test Filtrate was treated with 2-3 drops of 1% alcoholic - napthol solution and 2 ml of Con sulpuric acid was added along the sides of the test tube. Appearance of brown ring at the junction of two liquids shows the presence of carbohydrates. Another portion of the extract was hydrolysed with hydrochloric acid for few hours on a water bath and the hydrolysate was subjected to Legal’s and Borntrager’s test to detect the presence of different glycosides. 2) Legal’s test To the hydrolysate 1 ml of pyridine and few drops of sodium nitropruside solutions were added and then it was made alkaline with sodiumhydroxide solution. Appearance of pink to red colour shows the presence of glycosides. 3) Borntrager’s test Hydrolysate was treated with chloroform and then the chloroform layer was separated. To this equal quantity of dilute ammonia solution was added. Ammonia layer acquires pink color, showing the presence of glycosides. Page 42 of 113 B) Test for Alkaloids A small potion of the solvent free alcoholic and aqueous extracts were stirred separately with few drops of dilute hydrochloric acid and filtered. The filtrate was tested with various reagents for the presence of alkaloids. 1) Dragondorff’s test To a small amount of the filtrate, add 1ml of Dragendorff’s reagent. Appearance of reddish brown precipitate indicates the presence of alkaloids. 2) Wagner’s test To a small amount of filtrate, add 1ml of Wagner’s reagent. Appearance of reddish brown precipitate indicates the presence of alkaloids 3) Mayer’s reagent To a small amount of filtrate, add 1ml of Mayer’s reagent. Appearance of cream coloured precipitate indicates the presence of alkaloids C) Test for Proteins and Free Amino Acids 1) Million’s test Small quantities of the extracts were dissolved in few ml of water and treated with Millon’s reagent. Appearance of red color shows the presence of proteins and free amino acids. 2) Ninhydrin test Small quantities of the extracts were dissolved in few ml of water and treated with Ninhydrin reagent. Appearance of violet color shows the presence of proteins and free amino acid. 3) Biuret’s test The extracts were dissolved in a few ml of water and equal volumes of 5% sodium hydroxide solution & 1% copper sulphate solution were added. Appearance of pink or purple color shows the presence of proteins and amino acids. Page 43 of 113 D) Test for Phenolic Compounds and Tannins 1) Ferric chloride test Small quantities of the extracts were dissolved in water and dilute Ferric chloride solution (5%) was added. Appearance of violet or blue color indicates presence of phenolic compounds and tannins. 2) Gelatin test Small quantities of the extracts were dissolved in water and 1% solution of gelatin containing 10% sodium chloride was added. Formation of white precipitate indicates presence of phenolic compounds and tannins. 3) Lead acetate test Small quantities of the extracts were dissolved in water and 10% lead acetate solution was added. Formation of white precipitate indicates presence of phenolic compounds and tannins. E) Test for Flavonoids 1) Sodium hydroxide test Small quantities of each extracts were dissolved separately in aqueous sodium hydroxide solution. Appearance of yellow to orange indicates presence of flavonoids. 2) Sulphuric acid test To a portion of the extract, add Conc. sulphuric acid. Appearance of yellow orange colour shows the presence of flavonoids. 3) Shinoda’s test Small quantities of the extract were dissolved in alcohol, to them piece of magnesium followed by Conc. hydrochloric acid dropwise added and heated. Appearance of magenta color shows the presence of flavonoids F) Test for Saponins 1) Foam Test Place 2ml of the solution of the extract in water in a test tube and shake well. Formation of stable foam (froth) indicates the presence of Saponins. Page 44 of 113 G) Test for Fixed oils and Fats 1) Spot test Small quantities of various extracts were separately pressed between two filter papers. Appearance of oil stain on the paper indicates the presence of fixed oils and fats. 2) Saponification test Add few drops of 0.5N alcoholic potassium hydroxide to a small quantity of the extract and heat on a water bath for 1-2 hrs. Formation of soap or partial neutralization of tha alkali shows the presence of fixed oils and fats. H) Test for Phytosterols Small quantities of various extracts were dissolved separately in 5ml of water. Then this solution was subjected to the following tests. 1) Salkowski test The solution was treated with few drops of conc.sulphuric acid. Formation of red colour indicates presence of phytosterols. 2) Libermann- Bucchard’s test The solution was treated with few drops of acetic anhydride, boil and cool. Then add conc. Sulphuric acid through the sides of the test tube. Formation of brown ring at the junction of two layers indicates the presence of phytosterols. I) Test for Gums and Mucilage 1) Alcohol test A little of the extract is treated with alcohol. If it is not soluble in alcohol it shows presence of gums and mucilage. 2) Precipitation test The extract solution was added to picric acid solution. Formation of yellow precipitate shows the presence of gums and mucilage. Page 45 of 113 5.9 Pharmacological Evaluation A) In-vitro cytotoxicity study 1) Cell Line Elrish Acectic Carcinoma cell line was obtained through the courtesy of Amala Cancer Research Center, Thrissur and maintained at Pharmacology Department, TITPharmacy, Bhopal in Dulbecco’s Modified egale medium (DMEM) at 37◦C and 5% CO2 using standard cell culture methods. 2) Maintenance of cell line The maintenance of cell line was involved in the following stages (Borenfreund et al., 1984): a) Preparation of cell medium i) Ingredients DMEM 10gm Sodium bi carbonate 2.2gm HEPES 10ml Antibiotics 10ml FBS 100ml Autoclaved water to make the volume up to 1 lit. ii) Method of Preparation 10ml of HEPES was added to 850 ml of autoclaved water and mixed well.Then DMEM and Sodium bi carbonate was dissolved. Finally 10 ml antibiotics and 100 ml FBS was added in the mediumand volume was made up to 1 litre with autoclaved distilled water. The medium was filter twice and stored at 40 C b) Passaging of cell line Cell passaging or splitting was a technique that enables an individual to keep cells alive and growing under cultured conditions for extended periods of time. Cells should be passaged when they were 90%-100% confluent (Borenfreund et al., 1984). Hands were washed with ethanol and hood was clean with ethanol. T flasks were removed from the incubator and were seeing under microscope to confirm that the cells were 90%-100% confluent. Media and Trypsin were warmed in 37C water bath. Then culture Page 46 of 113 media was removed from T flasks and T- flasks were washed with PBS twice to remove the dead cells. Then 4 ml trypsin was added to T-flask. Then cells were checked under microscope to confirm that cells were detached from the surface. Finally culture media was added to trypsinised cell suspension and divided into 2 or more flasks depend on the number of cells. Medium was changed after every 24 hrs, until the T flask become confluent. 3) Seeding of cells Hands were washed with ethanol and hood was clean with ethanol. T flasks were removed from the incubator and were seeing under microscope to confirm that the cells were 90%-100% confluent. Media and Trypsin were warmed in 37C water bath. Then culture media was removed from T flasks and T- flasks were washed with PBS twice to remove the dead cells. Then 4 ml trypsin was added to T-flask for detachedment. Cells were counted by using hemocytometer. Then cell suspention was dilute with culture medium so that each 100µl of diluted cell suspention contained 2500 to 5000 cells. Then cells were seeded in 96 well plate, each well was contained 100µl of cell suspention. These plates were incubated for 24, 48 & 72 hrs respectively in CO 2 incubator. Confluent seeded plates were used for screening of drug (Borenfreund et al., 1984). 4) Preparation of extract solution 2g powdered extracts were dissolved in 100 ml DMSO, to got the stock solution with concentration 20mg/ml. Then 10 ml of extract solution was taken and dissolved in 90 ml culture media, the final concentration is 2mg /ml (Borenfreund et al., 1984). 5) Treatment with extract solution Seeded cell plates were taken out from the incubator, and culture media was discarded from the plates. Then culture media was replaced by the 100µl of extract containing culture media. Then the plates were incubated in CO2 incubator for 24 hrs for the drug action. After 24 hrs the plates were taken out from the incubator and activity of drug was evaluated by different cytotoxic assay (Borenfreund et al., 1984). 6) In-vitro Cytotoxic Assays These were the following cytotoxic assays which were used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of extracts to the cancer cells. Page 47 of 113 a) MTT Assay MTT assay was standard colorimetric assay, which measures changes in color, for measuring the activity of enzymes that reduce MTT to formazan, giving a purple color (Mosmann, 1983). This mostly happens in mitochondria of living cells, and as such it is in large a measure of mitochondrial activity. It can also be used to determine cytotoxicity of potential medicinal agents and other toxic materials. A solubilization solution usually either dimethyl sulfoxide, an acidified ethanol solution, or a solution of the detergent sodium dodecyl sulfate in diluted hydrochloric acid is added to dissolve the insoluble purple formazan product into a colored solution. The absorbance of this colored solution can be quantified by measuring at a certain wavelength usually between 500 and 600 nm by a spectrophotometer. The absorption maximum is dependent on the solvent employed. This reduction takes place only when mitochondrial reductase enzymes were active, and therefore conversion is often used as a measure of viable (living) cells. When the amount of purple formazan produced by cells treated with an agent is compared with the amount of formazan produced by untreated control cells, the effectiveness of the agent in causing death, or changing metabolism of cells, can be deduced through the production of a dose-response curve (Mosmann, 1983). i) Procedure 25mg of MTT powder was dissolved in 5ml PBS then filtered it with the help of 10ml syringe and syringe filter. Incubated cell plates were taken out from the incubator, and discard the culture media from the plates. Culture media was replaced by the extract containing culture media. Then the plates were incubated in CO2 incubator for 24 hrs for the action of extracts. 5 hours before the end of the incubation, add 20µl of MTT solution to each well containing cells. Incubate the plate at 37ºC for 5 hours. Remove media and add 200µl of DMSO to each well and pipette up and down to dissolve crystals. Transfer to plate ELISA reader and measure absorbance at 550nm to get optical density. Then calculate the % inhibition using the formula % inhibition = [(OD of untreated)-(OD of drug Treated) /(OD of untreated)] 100 OD:- Optical Density. Page 48 of 113 b) Neutral red uptake cytotoxicity assay The neutral red (NR) cytotoxicity assay procedure is a cell survival/viability chemosensitivity assay, based on the ability of viable cells to incorporate and bind neutral red, a supravital dye. NR is a weak cationic dye that readily penetrates cell membranes by non-ionic diffusion, accumulating intracellularly in lysosomes, where it binds with anionic sites in the lysosomal matrix. Alterations of the cell surface or the sensitive lysosomal membrane lead to lysosomal fragility and other changes that gradually become irreversible. Such changes brought about by the action of xenobiotics result in a decreased uptake and binding of NR. It is thus possible to distinguish between viable, damaged, or dead cells, which are the basis of this assay (Triglia, 1991; Morgan, 1991; Fautz, 1991). The neutral red uptake assay provides a quantitative estimation of the number of viable cells in a culture. It is one of the most used cytotoxicity tests with many biomedical and environmental applications. Most primary cells and cell lines from diverse origin may be successfully used. i) Preparation of NR stock solution NR dye (3.3gm) was dissolved in 100 ml of double distilled water and then this stock solution was filtered by using syringe filter. It was stored at room temperature and used within 6 months. ii) Preparation of working solution 1 ml of NR stock solution was dissolved in the 99 ml of culture media to got the final concentration 0.33%. iii) Procedure Incubated cell plates were taken out from the incubator, and discard the culture media from the plates. Culture media was replaced by the extract containing culture media. Then the plates were incubated in CO2 incubator for 24 hrs for the action of extracts. The extract containing culture media was then replaced with NR-containing medium. Plates were again placed to incubator for 4-8 hours depending on cell type and maximum cell density. At the end of the incubation period, the medium was carefully removed and the cells were quickly washed with PBS. The washed solution was removed and the incorporated dye was then solubilized in a volume of Neutral Red Assay Solubilization Solution (ethanolic acetic acid) Page 49 of 113 equal to the original volume of culture medium. The plates were allowed to stand for 10 minutes at room temperature. Gentle stirring in a gyratory shaker or pipetting up and down (trituration) enhanced mixing of the solubilized dye. The background absorbance was measured at 540 nm using ELISA reader to get optical density and pictures were captured using microscope. Then calculate the % inhibition using the formula % inhibition = [(OD of untreated)-(OD of drug Treated) /(OD of untreated)] 100 OD:- Optical Density. 7) Statistical Analysis The results of the study were expressed as mean ± SEM. ANOVA (Gennaro et al., 1995) was used to analyze and compare the data, followed by Dunnet’s (Dunnet et al., 1964) test for multiple comparisons.The value of probability less than 5% (P < 0.05) was considered statistically significant (Amin et al., 2006). B) Acute toxicity studies Organization for Economic co-operation and Development (OECD) regulates guideline for oral acute toxicity study. It is an international organization which works with the aim of reducing both the number of animals and the level of pain associated with acute toxicity testing (OECD, 1996) Following are the main type of guideline followed by OECD Guideline 420, fixed dose procedure. ( 5 animals used ) Guideline 423, acute toxic class. ( 3 animals used ) Guideline 425, up and. down method. (1 animal used) 1) Guideline 423 a) Principle Acute toxic category method is a method for assessing acute oral toxicity that involves the identification of a dose level that causes mortality. This test involves the administration of a simple bolus dose of test substances to fasten healthy young adult rodents by oral gavage, observation for upto 15days after dosing and recording of body weight and the necropsy of all the animals. In this method pre-specified fixed doses of the test substances were used ie., 5mg/kg, 50mg/kg, 300mg/kg, 2000mg/kg and the mortality due to these doses were observed. Generally Page 50 of 113 female animals were used for this study and each dose group should consist of 3 animals. b) Animals Female Wistar albino rats (150-200 g) of approximately the same age, was procured from Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, and were used for acute toxicity studies. They were housed in polypropylene cages and fed with standard rodent pellet diet (Hindustan Lever Limited, Bangalore) and water ad libitum. The rats were exposed to alternate cycle of 12hrs of darkness and light each. Before the test, the rats were fasted for at least 12 hrs; the experimental protocols were subjected to the scrutinization of the Institutional Animals Ethical Committee and were cleared by the same. All experiments were performed during morning according to CPCSEA guidelines (CPCSEA, 2003) for care of laboratory animals and the ethical guideline for investigations of experimental pain in conscious animals. The standard orogastric cannula was used for oral drug administration in rats. c) Procedure Fig. 5.1 Protocol for determining acute toxicity in rats The overnight fasted female rats were weighed and selected. Acetone and Ethanol extracts were dosed in a stepwise procedure, with the initial dose being selected as the dose expected to produce some signs of toxicity and Page 51 of 113 were observed for a period of two weeks. The toxic doses were selected based on the above chat. C) In-vivo Anti-cancer Activity 1) Animals Swiss Albino mice (20-25gm) of either sex and of approximately the same age, procured from Institute of Animal Health and Vetarnary Biological, Mhow, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, and were used for In-vivo anticancer study. They were housed in polypropylene cages and fed with standard rodent pellet diet (Hindustan Lever Limited, Bangalore) and water ad libitum. The animals were exposed to alternate cycle of 12hrs of darkness and light each. Before each test, the animals were fasted for at least 12 hrs; the experimental protocols were subjected to the scrutinization of the Institutional Animals Ethical Committee and were cleared by the same. All experiments were performed during morning according to CPCSEA guidelines (CPCSEA, 2003) for care of laboratory animals and the ethical guideline for investigations of experimental pain in conscious animals. The standard orogastric cannula was used for oral drug administration in experimental animals. 2) Sources of cell line EAC cell line was obtained from Amala Cancer and Research Institute, Thrissur, Kerala and were maintaind by weekly intraperitoneal inoculation of 1×106 cells/mouse. 3) Experimental Design The animals (Swiss albino mice weighing 20-25 g) were divided into 9 groups consisting of 12 animals in each. Animals were fed with basal diet and water throughout the experimental period. All the groups were injected with EAC cells except control group. From day 1st, normal saline (5 ml/kg) was given in group I and group II, which was serve as a normal control and tumor control group respectively, whereas 5fluorouracil (20mg/kg) was given to group III. All other groups (Group IV to IX) were treated with selected plant extract as given below for 14 days. On 15th day six mice from each group were sacrificed for the determination of tumor volume, tumor weight, hematological parameters, etc, and rest were kept with food and water ad libitum to check Page 52 of 113 the increase in the life span of the tumor hosts and body weight (Kuttan et al., 1990; Mazumder et al., 1997). Group I : Control animals were received normal saline. Group II : Mice were inoculated with 1×106 cells per mouse intraperitoneally. Group III : Mice were injected 5-fluorouracil (20mg/kg) intraperitoneally along with EAC cells (1×106cells/mouse) treatment. Group IV : Mice were treated with AEML (500mg/kg) orally along with EAC cells (1×106cells/mouse) treatment. Group V : Mice were treated with EEML (500mg/kg) orally along with EAC cells (1×106cells/mouse) treatment. Group VI : Mice were treated with AEAC (500mg/kg) orally along with EAC cells (1×106cells/mouse) treatment. Group VII : Mice were treated with EEAC (500mg/kg) orally along with EAC cells (1×106cells/mouse) treatment. Group VIII : Mice were treated with AESV (500mg/kg) orally along with EAC cells (1×106cells/mouse) treatment. Group IX : Mice were treated with EESV (500mg/kg) orally along with EAC cells (1×106cells/mouse) treatment. a) Effect of selected plant extracts on tumor volume and tumor weight of tumor bearing mice On 15th day, after 24h of dose, 6 mice from each group were dissected and the ascetic fluid was collected from peritoneal cavity. The volume was measured by taking it in a graduated centrifuge tube. The tumor weight was measured by taking the weight of mice before and after collection of ascetic fluidfrom peritoneal cavity (Kuttan et al., 1990; Mazumder et al., 1997). b) Effect of selected plant extracts on tumor cell count of tumor bearing mice The ascetic fluid was withdrawn from the peritoneal cavity of the mice and diluted 100 times with normal saline. A drop of a diluted cell suspension was placed on the neubauers chamber and the number of cells in the 64 square was counted. The viability and non viability of cells was checked by tryphan blue method. On staining Page 53 of 113 viable cells did not take the dye whereas the non viable cells were stained blue (Kuttan et al., 1990; Mazumder et al., 1997). c) Effect of selected plant extracts on Mean survival time of tumor bearing mice Animals were inoculated with 1 X 106 cells/mouse on day ‘0’ and treatment with all extracts started 24 h after inoculation, at a dose of 500 mg/kg/day p.o. The control group was treated with the same volume of 0.9% sodium chloride solution. All the treatments were given for 14 days. The mean survival time (MST) of each group, consisting of 6 mice was noted. The antitumor efficacy of acetone and ethanol extract was compared with that of 5- fluorouracil (Dabur Pharmaceutical Ltd, India). The MST of the treated groups was compared with that of the control group using the following calculation ((Kuttan et al., 1990; Mazumder et al., 1997)): ILS (%) = [(MSTof treated group/ MST of control group)-1] x 100 Mean survival time = [1st Death + Last Death] / 2 d) Effect of selected extracts on body weight of tumor bearing mice All groups (except Group I and III), consisting of six mice each were transplanted intraperitoneally with 1×106 EAC cells. After 24 h, the groups were orally treated Extracts. The group II, serving as the control, received normal saline (0.9%w/v). Treatments were continued for 14 days. Body weights were recorded every 5th day till 40 days of treatment or till the death of the animal (Kuttan et al., 1990; Mazumder et al., 1997). e) Effect of selected plant extracts heamatological parameters of tumor bearing mice All the treatments were given for 14 days to each group (except group III), on the 15th day, blood was drawn by retro orbital plexus method. WBC count, RBC count, heamoglobin, protein and packed cell volume were determined (D’Amour et al., 1965; Lowry et al., 1951). Cells smear was prepared in slide and stained with Lieshman stain solution (Docie et al., 1958). Red blood cells (RBC), White blood cells (WBC) and Heamoglobin (Hb) were estimated with the help of MS-09 heamatology analyzer (France). Page 54 of 113 f) Effect of selected extracts on peritoneal cells in normal mice Thirteen groups of normal mice (n= 6) were used for the study. First six groups were treated with 500 mg/kg, p.o. of acetone and ethanol extracts only once for a single day and other six groups received the same treatment for two consecutive days. The untreated group was used as control. Peritoneal exudates of ethanolic and Acetone extract groups were collected after 24hr and 48hr of treatment by repeated intraperitoneal wash with normal saline (0.9% w/v) and the cells were counted in each of the treated groups under WBC newbauer’s chamber and compared with those of normal control (Sur et al., 1994). i) Experimental deign Group I : Animals were treated with normal saline. Group II : Animals were treated with AEML (500mg/kg) for single day. Group III : Animals were treated with AEML (500mg/kg) for two consecutive days. Group IV : Animals were treated with EEML (500mg/kg) for single day. Group V : Animals were treated with EEML (500mg/kg) for two consecutive days. Group VI : Animals were treated with AEAC (500mg/kg) for single days. Group VII : Animals were treated with AEAC (500mg/kg) for two consecutive days. Group VIII : Animals were treated with EEAC (500mg/kg) for single days. Group IX : Animals were treated with EEAC (500mg/kg) for two consecutive days. Group X : Animals were treated with AESV (500mg/kg) for single days. Page 55 of 113 Group XI : Animals were treated with AESV (500mg/kg) for two consecutive days. Group XII : Animals were treated with EESV (500mg/kg) for single days. Group XIII : Animals were treated with EESV (500mg/kg) for two consecutive days. g) Statistical analysis The results of the study were expressed as mean ± SEM. ANOVA (Gennaro et al., 1995) was used to analyze and compare the data, followed by Dunnet’s (Dunnet et al., 1964) test for multiple comparisons.The value of probability less than 5% (P < 0.05) was considered statistically significant (Amin et al., 2006). Page 56 of 113 6. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 6.1 Selection of the plant On the basis of literature review and discussion with the traditional medical practitioners of the Ujjain, Bhanpura and Bhopal (MP), India, M. longifolia, A. cordifolia and S. veronicaefolia were selected for evaluation of the anticancer activity. 6.2 Physicochemical analysis of crude drug A) Determination of Ash Values of selected plants The physicochemical analysis of powdered leaves of selected plants were carried out i.e, total ash, acid insoluble ash and water soluble ash, were determined. The total ash value were found to be 10.5%, 8.1% and 9.1% w/w for leaves of M. longifolia, A. cordifolia and S. veronicaefolia respectively, was indicating that considerable amount of inorganic matter were present. The acid insoluble ash values were found to be 3.7 %, 3.5% and 3.3% w/w for leaves of M. longifolia, A. cordifolia and S. veronicaefolia respectively. The water soluble ash values were found out to be 1.7 %, 1.3% and 1.5% w/w for leaves of M. longifolia, A. cordifolia and S. veronicaefolia respectively. The results were represented in Table 6.1 Table 6.1: Determination of ash values of selected medicinal plants Plant Name Madhuca longifolia Adina cordifolia Sida veronicaefolia Types of Ash Percentage of Ash(w/w) Total ash 10.5 Acid insoluble 3.7 Water soluble 1.7 Total ash 8.1 Acid Insoluble 3.5 Water soluble 1.3 Total ash 9.1 Acid Insoluble 3.3 Water soluble 1.5 Page 57 of 113 B) Determination of extractive value of selected medicinal plants Extractive values were determined and reported in Table 6.2 Table 6.2: Determination of extractive value of selected plants % Yeild Solvent used M. longifolia A. cordifolia S. veronicaefolia Pet. Ether 1.67 2.13 1.89 Chloroform 2.23 1.54 3.86 Acetone 17.1 15.5 14.2 Ethanol 9.21 14.8 9.6 Water 10.2 19.2 13.7 Page 58 of 113 6.3 Preliminary phytochemical evaluation of selected plants The phytoconstituents were determined by chemical tests, which showes the presence of various constituents in different extracts. The results showed that extracts of leaves of M. longifolia, A. cordifolia and S. veronicaefolia contains flavonoids, alkaloids, phytosterols and phenolic compounds and were reported in Table 6.3, 6.4 and 6.5. Page 59 of 113 Table 6.3: Preliminary phytochemical evaluation of leaves of M. longifolia. Tests Pet.ether extract CHCl3 extract Molisch’s test - - - + + Fehling’s test - - - + + Legal’s test Borntrager’s test - - - - - - - - - - Baljet test - - - - - Spot test Saponification test + + - - - + + - - - Millon’s test - + - + + Proteins and Amino Acids Ninhydrin test - + - + + Biuret test - + - + + Saponins Foam test FeCl3 test - - + - + - + - Lead acetate test - - - - - Salkowski test + - + + + + - + + + - - + + + - - + + + Wagner’s test - - + + + Hager’s test Froth test + - + - + - + + Alcoholic test + - - - + - - + + + - - + + + - - + + + Constituents Carbohydrate Glycosides Fixed oil and Fats Phenolic Comp. and Tannins Phytosterols Alkaloids Gums and Mucilage Flavonoids LibermannBucchard test Dragendorff’s test Mayer’s test Lead acetate test Con. H2SO4 test FeCl3 test Acetone Ethanolic Aqueous extract extract extract Page 60 of 113 Table 6.4: Preliminary phytochemical evaluation of leaves of A. cordifolia Constituents Tests Pet.ether CHCl3 Acetone Ethanolic Aqueous extract Extract extract extract extract Molisch’s test - - - + + Fehling’s test - - - + + Legal’s test Borntrager’s test - - - - - - - - - - Baljet test - - - - - + + + + - + + + + - Millon’s test - + - + + Proteins and Amino Acids Ninhydrin test - + - + + Biuret test - + - + + Saponins Foam test FeCl3 test - - + + + + + Lead acetate test - - + + + Salkowski test + - + + + + - + + + - - - - - - - - - - Wagner’s test - - - - - Hager’s test Froth test + - - - + Alcoholic test + - - - + - - + + + - - + + + - - + + + Carbohydrate Glycosides Spot test Fixed oil and Saponification Fats test Phenolic Comp. and Tannins Phytosterols Alkaloids Gums and Mucilage Flavonoids LibermannBucchard test Dragendorff’s test Mayer’s test Lead acetate test Con. H2SO4 test FeCl3 test Page 61 of 113 Table 6.5: Preliminary phytochemical evaluation of leaves of S. veronicaefolia Constituents Tests Pet.ether CHCl3 extract Extract Acetone Ethanolic Aqueous extract extract extract Molisch’s test - - - + + Fehling’s test - - - + + Legal’s test Borntrager’s test - - - - - - - - - - Baljet test - - - - - + + - + - + + - + - Millon’s test - + - + + Proteins and Amino Acids Ninhydrin test - + - + + Biuret test - + - + + Saponins Foam test FeCl3 test - - + + + Lead acetate test - - + + + Salkowski test + - + + + + - + + + - - + + + - - + + - Wagner’s test - - + + - Hager’s test Froth test + - + - + - + Alcoholic test + - - - + - - + + + - - + + + - - + + + Carbohydrate Glycosides Spot test Fixed oil and Saponification Fats test Phenolic Comp. and Tannins Phytosterols Alkaloids Gums and Mucilage Flavonoids LibermannBucchard test Dragendorff’s test Mayer’s test Lead acetate test Con. H2SO4 test FeCl3 test Page 62 of 113 6.4 In-vitro cytotoxic studies A) In-vitro cytotoxic activity of extracts of M. longifolia by MTT assay The result showed that % inhibition of PEML, CEML, AEML, EEML and AQEML were 7.06 ± 0.81, 13.72 ± 3.16, 80.0 ± 2.28, 82.0 ± 3.12 and 20.86 ± 3.59 respectively and were reported in Table 6.6 and Fig 6.1. Table 6.6: In-vitro cytotoxic activity of extracts of M. longifolia by MTT assay S No Extract Concentration Optical density % inhibition 1 - No treatment 0.3660 0.00 ± 1.31 2 PEML 200 µg/ml 0.3401 7.06 ± 0.81ns 3 CEML 200 µg/ml 0.3157 13.72 ± 3.16* 4 ACML 200 µg/ml 0.0732 80.0 ± 2.28** 5 EEML 200 µg/ml 0.0658 82.0 ± 3.12** 6 AQEML 200 µg/ml 0.2896 20.86 ± 3.59** 8 wells /group OD at 550 nm, *P<0. 01 Vs control, **P<0.001 Vs control. Values are expressed as mean ± SEM Fig 6.1: In-vitro cytotoxic activity of extract of M. longifolia by MTT assay Page 63 of 113 B) In-vitro cytotoxic activity of extracts of A. cordifolia by MTT assay The result showed that % inhibition of PEAC, CEAC, AEAC, EEAC and AQEAC were 19.56 ± 3.16, 19.94 ±1.31, 91.34 ± 4.56, 89.11 ± 2.97 and 14.03.± 2.74 respectively and were reported in Table 6.7 and Fig 6.2 Table 6.7: In-vitro cytotoxic activity of extracts of A.cordifolia by MTT assay S No Extract Concentration Optical density % inhibition 1 - No treatment 0.3660 0.00 ± 1.31 2 PEAC 200 µg/ml 0..2943 19.56 ± 3.16** 3 CEAC 200 µg/ml 0..2930 19.94 ±1.31** 4 AEAC 200 µg/ml 0.0317 91.34 ± 4.56** 5 EEAC 200 µg/ml 0.0399 89.11 ± 2.97** 6 AQEAC 200 µg/ml 0.3146 14.03.± 2.74* 8 wells /group OD at 550 nm, *P<0. 01 Vs control, **P<0.001 Vs control. Values are expressed as mean ± SEM Fig 6.2: In-vitro cytotoxic activity of extracts of A. cordifolia by MTT assay Page 64 of 113 C) In-vitro cytotoxic activity of extracts of S. veronicaefolia by MTT assay The result showed that % inhibition of PESV, CESV, AESV, EESV and AQESV were 14.48 ± 5.74, 13.04 ± 3.42, 93.83 ± 3.48, 95.71 ± 3.45 and 19.94 ± 1.74 respectively and were reported in Table 6.8 and Fig 6.3 Table 6.8: In-vitro cytotoxic activity of extracts of S. veronicaefolia by MTT assay S No Extract Concentration Optical density % inhibition 1 - No treatment 0.3660 0.00 ± 1.31 2 PESV 200 µg/ml 0..3130 14.48 ± 5.74* 3 CESV 200 µg/ml 0,3182 13.04 ± 3.42* 4 AESV 200 µg/ml 0.0226 93.83 ± 3.48*** 5 EESV 200 µg/ml 0.0157 95.71 ± 3.45*** 6 AQESV 200 µg/ml 0..2930 19.94 ± 1.74** 8 wells /group OD at 550 nm, *P<0. 05 Vs control, **P<0.01 Vs control. ***P<0.001 Vs control, Values are expressed as mean ± SEM Fig 6.3: In-vitro cytotoxic activity of extracts of S. veronicaefolia by MTT assay Page 65 of 113 D) In-vitro cytotoxic activity of extracts of M. longifolia by NR cytotoxic assay The results showed that AEML and EEML were remarkable cytotoxic against EAC with % inhibition of 78.2 ± 2.29 % and 81.7 ± 1.53 % receptively. The results were reported in Table 6.9, Fig 6.4 and 6.5. Table 6.9: In-vitro cytotoxic activity of extracts of M. longifolia by NR cytotoxic assay S No Extract Concentration Optical density % inhibition 1 - No treatment 0.3800 0.00 ± 1.88 2 PEML 200 µg/ml 0.346 8.94 ± 0.78* 3 CEML 200 µg/ml 0.3361 11.57 ± 2.09** 4 ACML 200 µg/ml 0.1060 78.2 ± 2.29** 5 EEML 200 µg/ml 0.0940 81.7 ± 1.53** 6 AQEML 200 µg/ml 0.2852 25.12 ± 3.21** 8 wells /group OD at 550 nm, *P<0.01 Vs control. **P<0.001 Vs control. Values are expressed as mean ± SEM Fig 6.4: In-vitro cytotoxic activity of extracts of M. longifolia by NR cytotoxic assay Page 66 of 113 Fig 6.5: In-vitro cytotoxic activity of extracts of M. longifolia by NR cytotoxic assay The effect of M. longifolia extracts (200 µg/ml) on EAC cells was reported in Fig 6.5. In the normal control there was no vacant space and no cell death whereas extract and standard drug treated group were shown, that indicates the cells were dead. Normal control (No treatment) PEML treated (200 µg/ml) CEML treated (200 µg/ml) AEML treated (200 µg/ml) EEML treated (200 µg/ml) AQEML treated (200 µg/ml) Page 67 of 113 E) In-vitro cytotoxic activity of extracts of A. cordifolia by NR cytotoxic assay The results showed that AEAC and EEAC were remarkable cytotoxic against EAC with % inhibition of 93.36 ± 4.56% and 90.00 ± 3.64% receptively. The results were reported in Table 6.10, Fig 6.6 and 6.7. Table 6.10: In-vitro cytotoxic activity of extracts of A. cordifolia by NR cytotoxic assay S No Extract Concentration Optical density % inhibition 1 - No treatment 0.3800 0.00 ± 1.88 2 PEAC 200 µg/ml 0.3091 18.68 ± 4.13* 3 CEAC 200 µg/ml 0.3482 08.42 ± 3.79ns 4 AEAC 200 µg/ml 0.0252 93.36 ± 4.56** 5 EEAC 200 µg/ml 0.0380 90.00 ± 3.64** 6 AQEAC 200 µg/ml 0.2523 33.68 ± 1.96** 8 wells /group OD at 550 nm, *P<0.01 Vs control, **P<0.001 Vs control. ns Not significant, Values are expressed as mean ± SEM Fig 6.6: In-vitro cytotoxic activity of extracts of A. cordifolia by NR cytotoxic assay Page 68 of 113 Fig 6.7: In-vitro cytotoxic activity of extract of A. cordifolia by NR cytotoxic assay The effect of A. cordifolia extracts (200 µg/ml) on EAC cells was reported in Fig 6.7. In the normal control there was no vacant space and no cell death whereas extract and standard drug treated group were shown, that indicates the cells were dead. Normal control (No treatment) CEAC treated (200µg/ml) EEAC treated (200µg/ml) PEAC treated (200µg/ml) AEAC treated (200µg/ml) AQEAC treated (200µg/ml) Page 69 of 113 F) In-vitro cytotoxic activity of extracts of S. veronicaefolia by NR cytotoxic assay The results shows that AESV and EESV were remarkable cytotoxic against EAC with % inhibition of 94.19 ± 3.48 % and 93 .72± 3.45 % receptively. The results were reported in Table 6.11, Fig 6.8 and 6.9. Table 6.11: In-vitro cytotoxic activity of extracts of S. veronicaefolia by NR cytotoxic assay S No Extract Concentration Optical density % inhibition 1 - No treatment 0.3800 0.00 ± 1.88 2 PESV 200 µg/ml 0.285 25.00 ± 3.09** 3 CESV 200 µg/ml 0.3140 23.42 ± 1.23** 4 AESV 200 µg/ml 0.0221 94.19 ± 3.48** 5 EESV 200 µg/ml 0.0239 93 .72± 3.45** 6 AQESV 200 µg/ml 0.3310 13.15 ± 4.89* 8 wells /group OD at 550 nm, *P<0.01 Vs control. **P<0.001 Vs control. Values are expressed as mean ± SEM Fig 6.8: In-vitro cytotoxic activity of extracts of S. veronicaefolia by NR cytotoxic assay Page 70 of 113 Fig 6.9: In-vitro cytotoxic activity of extracts of S. veronicaefolia by NR cytotoxic assay The effect of S. veronicaefolia extracts (200 µg/ml) on EAC cells was reported in Fig 6.9. In the normal control there was no vacant space and no cell death whereas extract and standard drug treated group were shown, that indicates the cells were dead. Normal Control (No Treatment) PESV treated (200µg/ml) CESV treated (200µg/ml) AESV treated (200µg/ml) EESV treated (200µg/ml) AQESV treated (200µg/ml) The results of the acetone and ethanol extracts of M. longifolia, A. cordifolia and S. veronicaefolia shows the remarkable cytotoxic activity and these extracts were selected for acute toxicity studies (Dose determination) and In-vivo anti-cancer activity. Page 71 of 113 6.5 Acute toxicity studies A) Acute toxicity studies of M. longifolia The acetone and ethanol extracts of leaves of M. longifolia were screened for acute toxicity study by OECD guideline no. 423. The results showed that both extracts belonging to category-5(>5000). The result was reported in Table 6.12. Table 6.12: Acute toxicity studies of extracts of M. longifolia S No. No. of Animals Extract Dose mg/kg Results 1 3 5 No death 2 3 50 No death 3 3 300 No death 4 3 2000 No death 5 3 5000 No death 6 3 5 No death 7 3 50 No death 8 3 300 No death 9 3 2000 No death 10 3 5000 No death AEML EEML Page 72 of 113 B) Acute toxicity studies of A. cordifolia The acetone and ethanol extracts of leaves of A. cordifolia were screened for acute toxicity study by OECD guideline no. 423. The results showed that both extracts belonging to category-5(>5000). The result was reported in Table 6.13. Table 6.13: Acute toxicity studies of extracts of A. cordifolia S No. No. of Animals Extract Dose mg/kg Results 1 3 5 No death 2 3 50 No death 3 3 300 No death 4 3 2000 No death 5 3 5000 No death 6 3 5 No death 7 3 50 No death 8 3 300 No death 9 3 2000 No death 10 3 5000 No death AEAC EEAC Page 73 of 113 C) Acute toxicity studies of S. veronicaefolia The acetone and ethanol extracts of leaves of S. veronicaefolia were screened for acute toxicity study by OECD guideline no. 423. The results showed that both extracts belonging to category-5(>5000). The result was reported in Table 6.14. Table 6.14: Acute toxicity studies of extracts of S. veronicaefolia S No. No. of Animals Extract Dose mg/kg Results 1 3 5 No death 2 3 50 No death 3 3 300 No death 4 3 2000 No death 5 3 5000 No death 6 3 5 No death 7 3 50 No death 8 3 300 No death 9 3 2000 No death 10 3 5000 No death AESV EESV Page 74 of 113 6.6 Anticancer activity of extracts of M. longifolia, A. cordifolia and S. veronicaefolia A) Effect of selected plant extract on tumor volume, tumor weight and tumor cell count of tumor bearing mice There was reduction in the tumor volume, tumor weight and tumor cell count of mice treated with AEML, EEML, AEAC, EEAC, AESV, EESV(500 mg/kg/day, p.o.) and 5-FU (20 mg/kg) (P<0.001). Tumor volume of control animals were 6.70 ± 0.16 ml, whereas the extract-treated group was 3.46 ± 0.07, 3.12 ± 0.08, 2.55 ± 0.11, 2.25 ±0.09, 2.15 ±0.09, 2.56 ±0.10 and 1.01 ± 0.10 ml of AEML, EEML, AEAC, EEAC, AESV, EESV and 5-FU, respectively. Tumor weight of control animals were 6.87 ±0.21 g and the extract-treated group were 3.54 ±0.31, 3.23 ±0.10, 2.68 ±0.30, 2.34 ±0.37, 2.25 ±0.25, 2.71 ±0.31 and 1.1 ±0.06 g of AEML, EEML, AEAC, EEAC, AESV, EESV and 5-FU respectively. The viable tumor cell count was decreases and increases in non viable tumor cell were found. These results were reported in Table 6.15 and Fig 6.10, 6.11 and 6.12. Table 6.15: Effect of selected plant extract on tumor volume, tumor weight and tumor cell count of tumor bearing mice S No Treatment Tumor Tumor Volume (ml) weight (gm) Tumor cell count Viable cells X Nonviable 107/ml cells X 107/ml 1 Tumor Control 6.70 ± 0.16 6.87 ±0.21 9.83 ±0.3 0.33 ±0.21 2 5- FU (20mg/kg, i.p) 1.01 ± 0.10* 1.1 ±0.06* 0.83 ±0.3* 1.67 ±0.33** 3 AEML (500 mg/kg, p.o) 3.46 ± 0.07* 3.54 ±0.31* 3.66 ±0.21* 2.5 ±0.22* 4 EEML (500 mg/kg, p.o) 3.12 ± 0.08* 3.23 ±0.10* 3.16 ±0.3* 2.3 ±0.21* 5 AEAC (500 mg/kg, p.o) 2.55 ± 0.11* 2.68 ±0.30* 2.83 ±0.3* 2.6 ±0.42* 6 EEAC (500 mg/kg, p.o) 2.25 ±0.09* 2.34 ±0.37* 2.66 ±0.21* 2.5 ±0.5* 7 AESV (500 mg/kg, p.o) 2.15 ±0.09* 2.25 ±0.25* 2.33 ±0.21* 1.8 ±0.3** 8 EESV (500 mg/kg, p.o) 2,56 ±0.10* 2.71 ±0.31* 2.83 ±0.16* 2.1 ±0.3** *P<0.001 Vs tumor control, **P<0.01 Vs tumor control n=6 animals in each group, No of days = 14, Values are expressed as mean ± SEM. Page 75 of 113 Fig 6.10: Effect of selected plant extracts on tumor volume of tumor bearing mice Fig 6.11: Effect of selected plant extracts on tumor weight of tumor bearing mice Page 76 of 113 Fig 6.12: Effect of selected plant extracts on tumor cell count of tumor bearing mice Page 77 of 113 B) Effect of selected plant extracts on the mean survival time (MST) of tumor bearing mice The MST for the control group was 21.50 ± 2.73 days and 30.33 ± 4.7, 32.83 ± 3.25, 34.33 ± 3.2, 34.83 ± 3.9, 35.16 ±2.8, 34.16±4.5 and 40.16 ± 2.13 days for the groups treated with AEML, EEML, AEAC, EEAC, AESV, EESV (500 mg/kg/day, p.o.) and 5-FU (20 mg/kg/day, i.p.) respectively. The % increase in the lifespan of tumor-bearing mice treated with AEML, EEML, AEAC, EEAC, AESV, EESV and 5-FU was found to be 41.06, 52.69, 59.67,62.00, 63.50, 58.88 and 86.79% respectively (P< 0.01) as compared to the control group. The results were shown in Table 6.16 and Fig 6.13. Table 6.16: Effect of selected plant extracts on Mean Survival Time (MST) of tumor bearing mice S No Treatment Mean Survival Time (Days) Increase in life span (%) 1 Tumor Control 21.50 ± 2.73 - 2 5- FU (20mg/kg, i.p) 40.16 ± 2.13* 86.79 % 3 AEML (500 mg/kg, p.o) 30.33± 4.7* 41.06 % 4 EEML (500 mg/kg, p.o) 32.83 ± 3.25* 52.69 % 5 AEAC (500 mg/kg, p.o) 34.33 ± 3.2* 59.67 % 6 EEAC (500 mg/kg, p.o) 34.83 ± 3.9* 62.00 % 7 AESV (500 mg/kg, p.o) 35.16 ±2.8* 63.50 % 8 EESV (500 mg/kg, p.o) 34.16±4.5* 58.88 % n=6 animals in each group, *P<0.01 Vs control, Days of treatment = 14, Values are expressed as mean ± SEM Page 78 of 113 Fig 6.13: Effect of selected plant extracts on Mean survival time of tumor bearing mice. Page 79 of 113 C) Effect of selected extracts on body weight of tumor bearing mice There was a significant decrease in weight gain of extract and standard drug treated group when compared to weight gain of tumor control group. The result were reported in Table 6.17. Table 6.17: Effect of selected plant extracts on body weight of tumor bearing mice Treatment/dose 7th Day 14th Day 21st Day 28th Day 35th Day Normal 22.00±0.77 23.00±0.51 24.16±0.54 27.66±0.66 31.83±0.83 Tumor Control 27.83±0.79* 40.33±0.76* 50.16±0.65* - - 5-FU (20mg/kg, i.p) 23.33±0.61 24.50±0.34$ 26.83±0.6 $ 29.33±0.66 32.83±0.47 AEML(500 mg/kg, p.o) 24.33±0.33** 29.50±0.76# 30.5±0.88$,# 31.00±0.25# 35.83±0.30# EEML(500 mg/kg, p.o) 25.0±0.25** 30.66±0.33$,# 32.3±0.66 $,# 34.33±0.33# 37.33±0.33# AEAC(500 mg/kg, p.o) 25.06±0.18** 29.68±0.37$,# 32.7±0.53 $,# 34.27±0.66# 37.58±0.39# EEAC(500 mg/kg, p.o) 25.33±0.56$ 28.5±0.21# 30.43±0.33$,# 31.6±0.38# 35.4±0.28# AESV(500 mg/kg, p.o) 24.33±0.33$ 29.5±0.56$,# 30.5±0.88$,# 31.5±0.35# 34.83±0.30# EESV(500 mg/kg, p.o) 25.43±0.33$ 28.5±0.76# 30.5±0.88$,# 31±0.25# 35.83±0.30# n= 6 in each group. * P< 0.001 Vs Normal control, $ P< 0.001 Vs Tumor control, # P<0.001 Vs Standard, ** P<0.01Vs Tumor control Values were expressed as mean± SEM. Page 80 of 113 D) Effect of selected plant extracts on hematological parameters of tumor bearing mice The hematological parameters of tumor-bearing mice showed significant changes on 14th day, when compared with the normal mice. In tumor control, the total WBC count, proteins and PCV were found to increase with a reduction in the hemoglobin content of RBC. The differential count of WBC showed that the percentage of neutrophils increased (P<0.001) while that of lymphocytes decreased (P<0.001), whereas AEML, EEML, AEAC, EEAC, AESV, EESV (500 mg/kg/day, p.o.) and 5-FU (20mg/kg, i.p) treatment significantly altered all the parameters, near to normal and were able to reverse the changes in the haematological parameters consequent to tumor inoculation. The results were reported in Table 6.18. Page 81 of 113 Table 6.18: Effect of selected plant extracts on hematological parameters of tumor bearing mice Tumor 5 FU (20 control mg/kg) 14.3±0.10 8.35±0.09* RBC (million/mm3) 4.68±0.06 WBC(million/mm3) Parameter Normal AEML EEML AEAC EEAC AESV EESV Hb(g/dl) 14.0±0.05*,$ 12.4±0.4*,$ 12.1±0.21*,$ 12.94±0.12*,$ 13.1±0.15*,$ 13.2±0.10*,$ 12.91±0.10*,$ 2.6±0.07* 4.11±0.04*,$ 3.18±0.3*,$ 3.06±0.32*,$ 3.78±0.06*,$ 3.14±0.05*,$ 3.13±0.06*,$ 3.88±0.04*,$ 7.48±0.03 27.19±0.07* 8.23±0.02*,$ 9.6±0.7*,$ 9.22±0.10*,$ 9.05±0.05*,$ 9.54±0.09*,$ 9.58±0.02*,$ 9.09±0.03*,$ Proteing % 8.21±0.06 13.95±0.2* 8.65±0.04*,$ 9.2±0.1*,$ 9.1±0.13*,$ 9.13±0.03*,$ 9.64±0.09*,$ 9.6±0.05*,$ 9.1±0.03*,$ PCV (mm) 16.5±0.42 31.5±0.42* 19.5±0.42*,$ 26.2±0.1*,$ 25.2±0.33*,$ 21.7±0.33*,$ 24.4±0.43*,$ 24.5±0.42*,$ 21.3±0.33*,$ 30.83±0.60 68.83±0.60* 31.83±0.47*,$ 38.1±2.2*,$ 44.32±0.78*,$ 38.3±1.75*,$ 42.11±0.68*,$ 42.16±0.60*,$ 64.66±0.42*,$ 50.3±2.1*,$ 51.10±0.52*,$ 59.2±0.45*,$ 54.10±0.67*,$ 54.0±0.68*,$ 59.5±0.42*,$ 1.86±0.33ns 1.56±0.28ns 1.5±0.22 ns 1.83±0.30 ns Neutrophils % Lymphocytes % 68.5±0.42 30±0.57* Monocytes % 1.16±0.16 2.16±0.16# 1.33±0.21 ns 1.8±0.3ns 1.7±0.33ns 38±1.78*,$ n= 6 in each group, * P< 0.001 Vs Normal control, P< 0.001 Vs Tumor control, # P<0.05Vs Normal Control, ns – not significant, Values are expressed as Mean SEM. Page 82 of 113 E) Effect of selected plant extracts on peritoneal cells in normal mice The average number of peritoneal exudates cells in normal mice was found to be 5.8±0.1×106. Single day treatment with AEML, EEML, AEAC, EEAC, AESV, EESV (500 mg/kg/day, p.o.) enhanced peritoneal cells to 7.21 ± 0.7 ×106 and 7.38 ± 0.12 ×106, while two consecutive day treatments enhanced the number to 10.21±0.06 ×106 and 10.31±0.19 ×106, respectively, (P< 0.001) as reperted in Table 6.19. Table 6.19: Effect of selected extracts on peritoneal cells in normal mice Group Treatment Peritoneal cell count(×106) 1 Normal control 5.8 ± 0.01 2 AEML (500 mg/kg, p.o) treated once 7.38±0.12* 3 AEML (500 mg/kg, p.o) treated twice 10.31±0.19* 4 EEML (500 mg/kg, p.o) treated once 7.21 ± 0.07* 5 EEML (500 mg/kg, p.o) treated twice 10.21±0.06* 6 AEAC (500 mg/kg, p.o) treated once 9.23±0.23* 7 AEAC (500 mg/kg, p.o) treated twice 12.89±0.56* 8 EEAC (500 mg/kg, p.o) treated once 9.42±.023* 9 EEAC (500 mg/kg, p.o) treated twice 13.26± 0.34* 19 AESV (500 mg/kg, p.o) treated once 9.7±0.37* 11 AESV (500 mg/kg, p.o) treated twice 14.3±0.27* 12 EESV (500 mg/kg, p.o) treated once 9.1±0.1* 13 EESV (500 mg/kg, p.o) treated twice 13.2±0.2* n= 6 in each group, * P< 0.001 Vs Normal control, Values are expressed as Mean SEM. Page 83 of 113 7. CONCLUSION It is well established that plants have been a useful for the treatment of tumor (Kamuhabwa et al., 2000). There are different approaches for the selection of plants that may contain new biologically active compounds (Cordell et al.,1991). One of the approaches used is ethnomedical data approach, in which selection of a plant is based on the prior information on the folk medicinal use of the plant. It is generally known that ethnomedical data provides substantially increased chance of finding active plants relative to random approach (Chapuis et al., 1988). However, as for cancer, the disease is complicated and heterogeneous, which makes it difficult to be well diagnosed, especially by traditional healers. Traditional Indian and Chinese medicinal herbs have been used in the treatment of different diseases in the country for centuries. There have been claims that some traditional healers can successfully treat cancer using herbal drugs. Indeed, some traditional healers who were interviewed recently in the country stressed that they have successfully treated patients presented with cancer or cancer related diseases. Cancer chemoprevention has been defined as a process facilitated by blocking induction of neoplastic process or preventing transformed cells from progression to malignant phenotypes by administration of one or more chemical entities, either as synthetic drugs or naturally occurring phytoconstituents. Chemotherapy is the standard and accepted treatment tool for cancer, alone or in conjunction with elective surgery and radiation, as the case may be. Chemotherapeutic drugs are cytotoxic by design, and thus most of the formulation drugs that are available can effectively kill the cancerous cell, they also damage the DNA of normal cell and are able to cause serious dose limiting adverse effects at therapeutics doses. Taking into account the side effect of synthetic drug, natural plants drug interplay as chemotherapy for various type of diseases and in particular against carcinogenesis. Recent studies on tumor inhibitory compounds of plant origin have yielded an impressive array of research on medicinal plant. The efficacy of M. longifolia, A. cordifolia and S. veronicaefolia against Ehrlich ascetic carcinoma provide the beneficial rational about efficacy as anticancer activity. In anticancer activity of the selected plant extracts, it was observed that group of animals treated with test drugs (500 mg/ kg) showed significant decrease in the tumor Page 84 of 113 volume, tumor weight, tumor cell count, body weight, and brought back the hematological parameters to more or less normal levels. In EAC-bearing mice, a regular rapid increase in ascites tumor volume was noted. Ascites fluid is the direct nutritional source for tumor cells and a rapid increase in ascites fluid with tumor growth would be a means to meet the nutritional requirement of tumor cells (Prasad et al., 1994 ). It is being clear that the reliable criterion for evaluating the value of any anticancer drug is the prolongation of the life span of animals (Clarkson et al., 1965; Oberling et al., 1954). As these extracts decreased the ascites fluid volume, viable cell count, and increased the percentage of life span of the animals therefore they can be considered as important source for the treatment of such deadly diseases. Usually, in cancer chemotherapy the major problems that are being encountered are of myelosuppression and anemia (Price et al., 1958; Hogland et al., 1982). The anemia encountered in tumor bearing mice is mainly due to reduction in RBC or hemoglobin percentage, and this may occur either due to iron deficiency or due to hemolytic or myelopathic conditions (Fenninger et al., 1954). In EAC control group, a differential count the presence of neutrophils increased, while the lymphocyte count decreased, the observed leucocytopenia indicates a common symptom of immunosuppression in many types of cancers (Rashid et al., 2010; Ropponen et al., 1997) and one of the causes of neutrophilia is myeloid growth factors which are produced in malignant process as part of a paraneoplastic syndrome. In addition to this another factor granulocyte colony stimulating factor produced by the malignant cells has also been attributed to be the cause of neutrophilia because of its action on bone marrow granulocytic cells in cancer. After the repeated treatment, all of these extracts were able to reverse the changes in altered neutrophils and lymphocytes count. Treatment with these extracts brought back the hemoglobin content, RBC, and WBC count more or less to normal levels and this indicates that these extracts posses protective action on the hematopoietic system (Ulich et al., 1990; Uchida et al., 1992). A significant enhancement of peritoneal cell count was observed. The effect of extracts treatment on the peritoneal exudate cells of normal mice is an indirect method of evaluating its inhibitory effect on tumor cell growth (Rajkapoor, 2003). Normally, a mouse contains about 5 x 106 peritoneal cells, 50% of which are macrophages. Extracts Page 85 of 113 treatment were found to enhance peritoneal cells count. These results demonstrate the indirect inhibitory effect of these extracts on EAC cells, which is probably mediated by the enhancement and activation of either macrophage or cytokine production (Rajkapoor, 2003). In-vitro cytotoxicity is the method by which the cells are directly treated with the extract and their % inhibition is evaluated. Selected extracts showed significant % inhibition activity against the cell lines. This result was showed the anticancer activity of selected extract. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the selected plants ascertains the presence of flavonoids, phenolic compound, tannins, alkaloids and phytosterols, trierpenoids etc. It is being already reported that compounds such as flavonoids, tannins etc, possess significant antimutagenic (Brown JP, 1980) and antimalignant activity (Hirano T et al., 1989). They play an important role as a chemopreventive agent in cancer because of their effects on signal transduction in cell proliferation (Weber et al., 1996) and angiogenesis (Fotsis et al., 1997). Such pharmacologically active phytoconstituents induces cell death of cancer cells by concentration-dependent decrease of ATP and a deterioration of cellular gross morphology (Swami et al., 2003; Bawadi et al., 2005 ). They also inhibit growth of cancer affected cell (Lambert et al., 2003; Keil et al., 2004) and avoids death of normal cell therefore, they may considered as a efficient candidate to enhanced opportunities for DNA repair, immune stimulation, anti-inflammation and cancer prevention (Blumenthal et al., 2003; Sheng et al., 2005). Similarly they can inhibit the tumor growth by an alteration in signal transduction pathways(Leikin et al., 1989; Tapiero et al., 2003). Depending on such a important pharmacological activity posses by these phytoconstituents, it might be clear that they are responsible for providing a significant anticancer activity. 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Anticancer research on Lorantaceae plants. Drugs Future, 22(5): 519–530. Page 112 of 113 LIST OF PUBLICATION In-vitro Cytotoxic activity of leaves of Madhuca longifolia against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) Cell line. International Journal of Drug Discovery and Herbal Research, 2011, 1(2): 55-57. Antitumor activity of Sida Veronicaefolia against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma in mice. Journal of Pharmacy Research, 2012, 5(1): 315-319. Anti-Tumor Effect of acetone extract of Madhuca longifolia against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) in mice. Phytopharmacology 2012, 3(1): 130-136. Anticancer effect of ethanol extract of Madhuca longifolia against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma. Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology.2012 2(1): 12-19. Anticancer activity of Adina Cordifolia against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma in mice. Continental Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology Research, 2012, 5(1): 7-16. Page 113 of 113