Antitumor activity of Pogostemon benghalensis Linn. on ehrlich ascites carcinoma tumor bearing mice.

BACKGROUND

Pogostemon benghalensis has been used traditionally as anticancer in India.

OBJECTIVE

The present study was undertaken to investigate the antitumor activity of hydroethanolic extract of P. benghalensis (HEEPB) and aqueous extract of P. benghalensis (AEPB) on ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) tumor bearing mice.

METHODS

For antitumor effect, treatments with HEEPB and AEPB at doses of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg/day orally were started after 24 h of intraperitoneal inoculation of EAC cells. After the treatment period, median survival time (MST), hematological parameters and solid tumor volume were used to evaluate antitumor activity of the extracts.

RESULTS

Both, HEEPB and AEPB, have increased MST (P<0.05), reduced solid tumor volume (P<0.05) and normalized hematological parameters (P<0.05) significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

As HEEPB and AEPB were effective in reducing the severity of morphological and biochemical parameters induced by EAC cells, this study justifies the traditional use of this plant in cancer.