Therapeutic Effects of Aqueous and Ethanolic Extracts of Phyllanthus amarus on 1, 2 Dimethylhydrazine Induced Colon Carcinogenesis in Balb/C Mice

Context: Phyllanthus amarus is traditionally used for various infections, inflammation and cancer. 1,2 Dimethylhydrazine is a potent colon cancer inducer in animals.

Objective: The present study investigated the effects of aqueous and ethanolic extract of Phyllanthus amarus on 1, 2 Dimethylhydrazine induced colon cancer in BALB/c Mice.

Materials and Methods: 30 female Balb/C Mice of weight 18-30 g were acclimatized for a week and randomized into 6 groups (5 per group). Group A (-DMH), Group B (+DMH), Group C (DMH+250 mg/kg body weight of ethanolic extract of P. amarus), Group D (DMH+350 mg/kg body weight of ethanolic of P. amarus), Group E (DMH + 250 mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract of P. amarus), Group F (DMH+ 350 mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract of P. amarus). 20 mg/kg body weight of DMH was administered orally for 21 days (twice a week). The plant extracts were administered daily for 3 weeks with the aid of a gavage immediately after colon cancer induction. Colon cancer was evaluated by the formation of Aberrant Cryptic Foci in the colon of DMH treated mice.

Results: Administration of the plant extracts (aqueous and ethanolic) ameliorated the carcinogenic effect of DMH in the colon of DMH treated mice in a dose dependent manner by significantly reducing the number of Aberrant Cryptic Foci formed in extract treated mice by 38% for 350 mg/kg body of ethanolic extract and by 22% for 350 mg/kg body of aqueous extract of Phyllanthus amarus.

Conclusion: The studied extracts had ameliorative potential on DMH induced colon cancer in Balb/C mice in a dose dependent manner providing evidence for the traditional use of this herb for treatment/prevention of cancer. Notably, 350 mg/kg body of both extracts showed better reduction of Aberrant Cryptic Foci compared to 250 mg/kg body of both ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Phyllanthus amarus.