Abstract

ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTITUMOR ACTIVITY OF EUPHORBIA MILII FLOWER EXTRACT AGAINST IN VIVO BREAST CANCER AND COLON CANCER IN MICE.

Sreenika. G, Naga Sravanthi. K*, Lakshmi. BVS, Thulja. P and Sudhakar. M.

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Euphorbia milii, a flowering plant belonging to spurge family Euphorbiaceae is widely used in the folk medicine for the treatment of warts, hepatitis and cancer. The aim of present study is to evaluate the antioxidant and antitumor properties of ethyl acetate extract of Euphorbia milii flower (EAEEMF) against MCF-7 cell line induced breast cancer and CACO-2 cell line induced colon cancer in mice. Methods: The MCF-7 cell lines were induced subcutaneously in mammary region in female mice and CACO-2 cell lines were induced intraperitoneally. The animals were treated with ethyl acetate extract of Euphorbia milii flower at doses of 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg p.o., consecutively for 30 days. On 31st day the animal‟s body weight and body circumference was noted and mice were sacrificed. The antioxidant and anticancer activity of ethyl acetate extract of Euphorbia milii flower was assessed by evaluating haematological, antioxidant and serum biochemical parameters. Results: Ethyl acetate extract of Euphorbia milii flower decreased body weight and body circumference. Haematological profile such as RBC, haemoglobin, haematocrit and WBC count reverted to normal level in ethyl acetate extract of Euphorbia milii flower treated groups of mice. The extract significantly decreased the levels of lipid peroxidation and elevated the levels of GSH, GPx and catalase. Serum biochemical parameters such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), alanine transaminase (ALT), and Glucose were reverted to normal levels in ethyl acetate extract of Euphorbia milii flower treated groups. The cancer specific parameters like Ferritin and Carcino embryonic antigen (CEA) also significantly decreased in extract treated groups. Histopathology report was in support to these results. Conclusion: The results revealed that Ethyl acetate extract of Euphorbia milii flower is effective as antioxidant and chemopreventive.

Keywords: Euphorbia milii, antioxidant, breast cancer, colon cancer.