Abstract

Anti-tumor activity of hexane and chloroform extracts of Acanthospermum hispidum dc in mice

Author(s): N.Deepa, N.N.Rajendran

The study investigated the anti-tumor activity of hexane and chloroform extract of Acanthospermum hispidum DC against DaltonÂ’s ascites lymphoma in mice. The extracts were prepared by successive extraction with hexane and chloroform and evaporated in vacuum to dry. (Yield: Hexane- 2.9%w/w, chloroform-1.72%w/w). The extracts were suspended in water with tween 20 and used for the study. Hexane extract (50 mg/kg p.o) and chloroformextract (300mg/kg p.o) was administered to tumor bearing mice (DAL) and examined for changes in dead cell count, histopathology of tumor cells, haematological parameters and median survival time (MST) and the results compared with that of tumor control or 5-FU. The findings reveal that both hexane and chloroform extracts possess anti-tumor activity. In order to ensure the standards of the extract, finger printing of the extracts in the crude form is done using HPTLC technique, using hexane and benzene as solvent system and the peaks obtained is recorded. Thus it is suggested that Acanthospermum hispidum DC appears promising for the development of phyto-medicine for the treatment of cancer.