In vitro and in vivo anticancer activity of Indigofera cassioides Rottl. Ex. DC

To evaluate the antitumor, cytotoxic and antioxidant activities of methanolic leaf extract of Indigofera cassioides (MEIC) against transplantable tumors and human cancer cell lines.

MEIC was investigated for its short term cytotoxicity on EAC and DLA cells by trypan blue dye exclusion method and in vitro cytotoxicity on HeLa, HEp-2, HEpG-2, MCF-7, HT-29, Vero and NIH 3T3 cells by MTT assay. In vivo antitumor activity was studied on EAC and DLA tumor bearing mice. Activity was assessed by monitoring the mean survival time, effect on hematological parameters, antioxidant enzyme levels and solid tumor volume.

MEIC exhibit potent in vitro cytotoxicity against all the tested cancer cell lines, but it was found to be safe on normal cells. The extract significantly (P < 0.001) increase the mean survival time and also have a protective effect on the hemopoietic system at the tested dose levels (200 and 400 mg/kg). The extract prevented lipid peroxidation and restored the antioxidant enzymes catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-s-transferase in the liver of tumor control animals. It also significantly (P < 0.01) reduce the solid tumor volume.

The results strongly support that MEIC shows potent antitumor and cytotoxic effects against EAC, DLA and human cancer cell lines. The extract prevents lipid peroxidation and promotes the enzymatic antioxidant defense system in tumor bearing animals which might be due to activities like scavenging of free radicals by the phytochemicals in MEIC.