Anticancer activity of Cocculus hirsutus against Dalton's lymphoma ascites (DLA) cells in mice

Cocculus hirsutus (L.) Diels (Menispermaceae) is used in Indian folk system of alternative medicine for rheumatism, eczema, diabetics, inflammation, and neuralgia.

To evaluate antitumor activities of C. hirsutus in vitro and in vivo.

C. hirsutus was successively extracted using hexane, petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol, and water. In vitro cytotoxicity was assessed by the MTT assay. Phytochemical analyses were conducted with methanol extract of C. hirsutus (MECH) and in vivo antitumor activity was carried out with MECH using Dalton's lymphoma ascites (DLA) mouse model. Antioxidant properties were assessed by estimating superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and lipid peroxidation.

Phytochemical studies indicated a high content of total alkaloid (165.6 mg/100 g), total phenolic (43.5 GAE mg/g), and total flavanoid (4.97 RE mg/g) in MECH. Anti-proliferative activity against the breast cancer cell line MCF-7 showed IC50 values of 221.5 ± 16.68, 255 ± 17.88, 213 ± 8.4, 147 ± 7.9, and 229 ± 8.02 µg/ml with hexane, petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol, and aqueous extracts, respectively. A significant (p < 0.01) decrease in packed cell volume, viable cell count, and increased lifespan (58 and 77%) was observed. Hematological and serum biochemical profiles were restored to normal levels in MECH-treated mice. MECH-treated group significantly (p < 0.001) decreased SOD, lipid peroxidation, and CAT towards normal.

C. hirsutus exhibited significant in vitro and in vivo antitumor activities that are reasonably attributed to endogenous antioxidant mechanisms.