Effect of Ethanol Extract of Phyllanthus amarus Leaf on 1,2- Dimethylhydrazine Induced Colon Carcinogenesis in Swiss

Phyllanthus amarus is a highly medicinal plant with its therapeutic activities spanning a wide scope of diseases and ailments. Earlier literatures indicated the effectiveness of this plant in combating hepatitis, malaria, diabetes, and cancer. In the present study the effect of ethanol extract of P. amarus on colon cancer in Swiss albino mice induced by 1, 2 dimethylhydrazine (DMH) was investigated. 15 female Swiss mice of weight 25-35g were acclimatized for a week and randomized into 3 groups (5 per group). Group A (-DMH), Group B (DMH, 300mg/kg body weight of ethanol extract of P. amarus) and Group C (+DMH). The plant extract was administered daily with the aid of a gavage for 3 three weeks immediately after the administration of DMH. The investigation revealed that the carcinogenic effect of DMH-treated mice with increased CEA concentration was ameliorated by the administration of the ethanol plant extract at a dose of 300mg/kg bwt when compared to control. Caspase-3 activity was upregulated by the extract when compared to DMH-treated and control groups at p<0.05. Invariably, the activity of Caspase-3 in plant-treated group was not significantly different from control. TNF-α concentration in plant-treated mice was downregulated when compared to DMH-treated mice. The concentration of TNF-α of ethanol extract-treated group was not significantly different from the control group. Furthermore, histology of the liver and kidney revealed necrosis in the organ tissues of mice treated with DMH and gradual tissue repair presenting with moderate necrosis in the group treated with DMH and 300mg/kg bwt of the ethanol extract of P. amarus. In addition, there were no significant differences between the three groups (p>0.05) for haematological and oxidative stress indices. However, the Phyllanthus + DMH-treated group showed higher white blood cell count and haematocrit levels respectively when compared to the normal control (Group A). These results suggest that the ethanol extract of P. amarus may possess anticancer properties justifying their use in folklore medicine.