Effect of Arrabidaea chica extracts on the Ehrlich solid tumor development

Abstract

Abstract:The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Arrabidaea chica (Humb. & Bonpl.) B. Verl., Bignoniaceae, extracts on Ehrlich solid tumor development in Swiss mice. Leaves of A. chica were extracted with two distinct solvents, ethanol and water. The phytochemical analysis of the extracts indicated different classes of secondary metabolites like as anthocyanidins, fl avonoids, tannins and saponins. Ethanol (EE) and aqueous (AE) extracts at 30 mg/kg reduced the development of Ehrlich solid tumor after ten days of oral treatment. The EE group presented increase in neutrophil count, α1 and β globulin values, and decrease of α2 globulin values. Furthermore, EE reduced the percentage of CD4 + T cells in blood but did not alter the percentage of infl ammatory mononuclear cells associated with tumor suggesting a direct action of EE on tumor cells. Reduced tumor development observed in AE group was accompanied by a lower percentage of CD4 + T lymphocytes in blood. At the tumor microenvironment, this treatment decreased the percentage of CD3 + T cells, especially due to a reduction of CD8 + T subpopulation and NK cells. The antitumor activity presented by the AE is possibly related to an anti-infl ammatory activity. None of the extracts produced toxic effects in animals. In conclusion, the ethanol and aqueous extracts of A. chica have immunomodulatory and antitumor activities attributed to the presence of fl avonoids, such as kaempferol. These effects appear to be related to different mechanisms of action for each extract. This study demonstrates the potential of A. chica as an antitumor agent confi rming its use in traditional popular medicine.

Antioxidant Capacity of the Leaf Extract Obtained from Arrabidaea chica Cultivated in Southern Brazil

“…To identify antioxidants in herbs, we investigated the antioxidant potential of Arrabidaea chica , a shrub plant that shows widespread distribution from South Mexico to central Brazil, particularly in the Amazon region. This plant belongs to the family Bignoniaceae which contains approximately 120 genera and 800 species [8]–[10]. It has been used as an anti-inflammatory and astringent agent as well as a remedy for intestinal colic, diarrhea, leucorrhea, anemia, and leukemia.…”

Perfil hematológico e bioquímico plasmático de camundongos após ingestão da planta Arrabidaea chica

“…Folhas de A. chica foram secas em temperatura ambiente, e moídas em moinho de facas. Posteriormente, foram submetidas a técnicas de extração e fracionamento [11] para obtenção do extrato etanólico (EE) e extrato aquoso (EA) de A. chica. Utilizou-se etanol PA 99%, marca Synth, Brasil, para o EE e água destilada para o EA.…”

“…Diariamente, o extrato aquoso e o extrato etanólico (30 mg/kg massa corporal) foram diluídos em água destilada (300 ml) e colocados na mamadeira dos animais. A seleção das doses diárias foi baseada na pesquisa de Ribeiro et al (2012) [11] que estudou as propriedades de A. chica em camundongos da espécie Mus musculus. Ao grupo controle foi oferecido diariamente 300 ml de água destilada.…”

“…Posteriormente, o sangue foi centrifugado para obtenção de plasma utilizado para as provas bioquímicas, conforme Ribeiro (2012) [11].…”

“…Na medicina popular A. chica é uma espécie vegetal muito utilizada, no modo de chá, como aliada no tratamento de câncer sendo considerada uma precursora no aumento de células sanguíneas. O câncer tem sido uma das maiores causas de mortalidade no mundo [11]. Pessoas com esta doença são geralmente destinadas aos tratamentos de quimioterapia e/ou radioterapia, o que pode levar a um quadro anêmico, uma vez que durante estes tratamentos o paciente sofre drásticas reduções nas células do sangue.…”