The in vivo anticancer and in vitro antioxidant effects of the crude methanol extract of Aponogeton undulatus, in addition to its various organic fractions, were investigated. Various assay methods, including the total antioxidant capacity assay, lipid peroxidation inhibition assay, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay and ferrous reducing power assessment were used to evaluate the antioxidant potential of the crude extract and its organic fractions. The ethyl acetate fraction (EAU) demonstrated the highest antioxidant capacity (175.80±0.41 mg/g equivalent ascorbic acid), which exhibited IC50 values of DPPH scavenging activity and maximum lipid peroxidation of 38.84±0.02 and 42.52±0.32 µg/ml, respectively. The reducing power of the extract was concentration dependent. The in vivo antitumor activity was evaluated against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cell-bearing Swiss albino mice. EAUs (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight) were administered for nine consecutive days. On day 10, half of the mice were sacrificed and the remaining mice were evaluated for lifespan. Hematological profiles including, red blood cell, white blood cell and hemoglobin content were also evaluated. EAU treatment significantly (P<0.05) decreased tumor volume, packed cell volume and viable cell count, and increased the lifespan of EAC tumor-bearing mice. Hematological profiles were restored to normal levels in EAU-treated mice compared with EAC control mice. Taken together, these results suggest that the Aponogeton undulatus extract may have potent antioxidant and anticancer properties.
Keywords: Aponogeton undulatus; Ehrlich ascites carcinoma; anticancer; antioxidant.