Preventive Effect of Ethanol Extract of Alpinia Calcarata Rosc on Ehrlich's Ascitic Carcinoma Cell Induced Malignant Ascites in Mice

Objective: To explore cytotoxic activity of ethanol extract of Alpinia calcarata Rosc (EEAC) rhizome against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) tumor bearing Swiss Albino mice.

Methods: In the present study, its anti-neoplastic activity has been studied by monitoring parameters like tumor weight measurement, survival time, tumor cell growth inhibition, haematological characteristics etc.

Results: It was found that EEAC at dose 8 mg/kg/day (i.p.) significantly decreased tumor weight (62.0%; P <0.01), increased life span (70.25%; P <0.01) and reduced tumor cell growth rate (85.7%; P <0.01) in comparison to those of EAC bearing mice. The plant extract also improved the depleted haematological parameters like RBC, WBC, Hb%, differential counts (e.g. lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes etc) of EAC bearing mice towards normal. The host toxic effects were not very high and recovered gradually towards normal within a few days after treatment.

Conclusions: EEAC exhibits potent in vivo cytotoxic activity against EAC tumor bearing Swiss Albino mice. So, the plant can be considered as a probable new source of antitumor agents.