EVALUATION OF ANTI-CANCER ACTIVITY OF RUELLIA TUBEROSA ON EAC INDUCED SOLID TUMOR

ABSTRACT

                Aim of the present study to evaluate the antitumor effect of Ruellia tuberosa. Antitumor activity of methanolic extracts of 250, 500 mg/kg of Ruellia tuberosa leaves was evaluated against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) tumor in mice. Acute and short-term toxicity studies were performed initially in order to ascertain the safety of methanolic extracts of Ruellia tuberosa. Tumour cells (1×10⁶cells/mice) were injected into the right hind limb (thigh) of solid tumour group animals subcutaneously and the tumour is allowed to develop for 11 days and the treatment is started from 12^th day for a period of 20 days. The effect of methanolic extracts of Ruellia tuberosa on the growth of tumor, life span of EAC bearing hosts and simultaneous alterations in the haematological profile and histopathological profile were estimated. The methanolic extracts of Ruellia tuberosa showed decrease in tumor size, average body weight, mean survival time thereby increasing life span of EAC tumor bearing mice. Haematological profile reverted to more or less normal levels in extracts treated mice. Histopathology has minimal effects when compared but a significant variation is seen.

Key words: Ruellia tuberosa, EAC induced cancer, Solid tumor, Carcinoma.