Evaluation of In-vivo Anticancer Activity Choerospondias axillaris in Swiss Albino Mice Models

Background and Objective: The fruits of the plant, Choerospondias axillaris are one of the richest sources of flavonoids phenol and vitamin C that have been shown to possess a variety of biological activities. The present study was aimed to study the potential anti-cancer activity of the methanolic extract of fruit of Choerospondias axillaris using the in-vivo model to scientifically validate the folkloric use of the Choerospondias axillaris.

Study Design: In-vivo model.

Place and Duration of the Study: Department of pharmacology, Karnataka College of pharmacy, Bangalore India, between October 2021 to June 2022.

Methods: Anti-cancer property of Choerospondias axillaris was evaluated against DMBA/croton oil induced skin tumorigenesis in Swiss albino mice. A single topical application of DMBA (100g/100l of acetone), followed 2 weeks later by repeated application of croton oil (1% in acetone three times a week) for 16 weeks. In contrast, animals treated orally with Choerospondias axillaris 200mg/kg/b.w. (group IV) and orally with Choerospondias axillaris 400mg/kg/b.w. (group V) and 5 Flu 10mg/kg (group III). The following parameters like; body weight, tumor incidence, cumulative number of tumors, tumor yield, average latency period, number of papillomas, haematological parameters, Serum Zinc and C-Reactive Protein, anti-oxidants enzyme, pro-inflammatory cytokines & Histopathological of Tumor skin studies were observed.

Results: 100 percent tumor incidence exhibited in group II (DMBA/croton oil) whereas the group IV (Choerospondias axillaris 200mg/kg) and group V (Choerospondias axillaris 400mg/kg) and group III (5 Flu 10mg/kg) exhibited 50, 33.7 and 42.5% tumor incidence, which significantly lesser when compared to than group II (Toxic control). The cumulative number of papillomas during the observation period of 16 weeks was significantly decreased in the Choerospondias axillaris treated groups IV, V and III (9, 4 and 6 no’s tumor respectively) in comparison to 18 cumulative numbers of papillomas in carcinogen control group. The average latent period significantly increased in the Toxic control group to 3.2, 4.3, 6.5 and 5.4 in group II, IV, V and III respectively. Tumor yield were significantly lesser (1.5, 0.66 and 1.0) as compared to DMBA/Croton oil treated control. Furthermore, the level of LPO was significantly increased whereas, the activity of CAT level were significantly decreased in skin tissue of DMBA/Croton oil treated animals compared Choerospondias axillaris treated animals. Similarly, NLR (< 3.0), ESR, Serum Zinc and CRP have got improved in treated with Choerospondias axillaris. Protein expression of TGF-beta, IFN-G, TNF-alpha and IL-6 have shown Improvement in markers indicating a reduction in inflammation and immune imbalance in treated with Choerospondias axillaris compared with DMBA/Croton oil where shown moderate immune suppression.

Conclusion: Based on the results it can be concluded that the test drug Choerospondias axillaris could be a potential candidate for the treatment of skin cancer.