Ethnopharmacological relevance: The plant Cleome gynandra L. (Capparidaceae), is commonly known as 'Hurhur'and 'Karaila' in India and 'Cat's whiskers' in English. Traditionally the whole plant is used in the treatment of tumor, anti-inflammatory and lysosomal stability actions.
Aim of study: The objective of present study is to explore the anticancer activity of the methanol extract of the Cleome gynandra in Swiss albino mice against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) cell line.
Materials and methods: Anticancer activity of methanol extract of Cleome gynandra (MECG) was evaluated in Swiss albino mice against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) cell line at the doses of 200 and 400mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally. MECG was administered for nine consecutive days. Twenty-four hours of last dose and 18 h of fasting, the mice were sacrificed and antitumor effect of MECG assessed by evaluating tumor volume, viable and nonviable tumor cell count, tumor weight and hematological parameters of EAC bearing host.
Results: MECG showed significant decrease in (p<0.01) tumor volume, viable cell count, tumor weight and elevated the life span of EAC tumor bearing mice. Hematological profile such as RBC, hemoglobin, WBC and lymphocyte count reverted to normal level in MECG treated mice.
Conclusion: From the result it was showed that the extract has potent dose dependent anticancer activity and that is comparable to that of 5-fluorouracil.
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