Antitumor activity of leaves of Himatanthus drasticus (Mart.) Plumel-Apocynaceae (janaguba) in the treatment of Sarcoma 180 tumor

Abstract

Himatanthus drasticus, also known as janaguba, is used popularly in Brazil's Northeastern region in the treatment of cancer. However, no scientific reports are available. The present study is the first investigation on the antitumor activity of crude methanolic extract from Himatanthus drasticus leaves against Sarcoma 180 tumor and on its side effects including acute oral toxicity. The OECD 423 methodology was used to study acute oral toxicity, and the STOCK methodology to assess antitumor activity. The crude extract showed low toxicity at the tested doses (50, 300 and 2000 mg/kg) administered orally. The histopathological analyses demonstrated alterations in liver lung, spleen and kidney. It also showed activity against Sarcoma 180 tumor in male Swiss albino mice, evidencing tumor growth inhibition of 67.7% and 68% at 300 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg doses, respectively. Uniterms:Himatanthus drasticus/antitumor activity. Himatanthus drasticus/acute oral toxicity. Janaguba/ antitumor activity. Sarcoma 180/experimental study.Himatanthus drasticus, conhecida popularmente como janaguba, tem uma longa história de emprego na cura do câncer no nordeste brasileiro, porém quase sem registro na literatura. O objetivo desse trabalho foi investigar a atividade antitumoral do extrato bruto metanólico das folhas de Himatanthus drasticus frente ao modelo experimental Sarcoma 180 e avaliar sua toxicidade aguda. A determinação da toxicidade aguda foi realizada segundo a metodologia da OECD 423 e o transplante do tumor sólido de sarcoma 180 foi realizado seguindo a metodologia de Stock. O extrato apresentou baixa toxicidade nas doses testadas (50, 300 e 2000 mg/kg) por via oral. A análise histopatológica apresentou alterações em nível hepático, pulmonar, baço e renal. A atividade antineoplásica apresentou inibição tumoral significativa em relação ao grupo controle nas doses de 300 mg/kg e 400 mg/kg de peso do animal com um percentual de inibição de 67.7% e 68% respectivamente. Na menor dose analisada, 200 mg/kg, o percentual de inibição tumoral foi apenas de 32.8%. Unitermos:Himatanthus drasticus/atividade antitumoral. Himatanthus drasticus/toxicidade aguda. Janaguba/atividade antitumoral. Sarcoma 180/estudo experimental.

Himatanthus Willd. ex Schult. (Apocynaceae): Review

“…There are studies of H. drasticus latex evaluating its antiulcerogenic, antitumor, analgesic, and antiinflammatory activities, which somehow justify their popular uses in the treatment of cancer, gastric disorders, rheumatism, and bruises. [ 1 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 ]…”

Anti-malarial activity and toxicity assessment of Himatanthus articulatus, a plant used to treat malaria in the Brazilian Amazon

“…Another study evaluated the acute toxicity of the extract from leaves of H. drasticus, with the animals showing signs of excitability, agitation and increased respiratory rate (dose = 2,000 mg/kg) [ 50 ]. Nevertheless, neither histopathological changes, nor other signs of toxicity were observed, suggesting that species of the genus Himatanthus have low acute toxicity.…”

Harvesting Increases Reproductive Activity in Himatanthus drasticus (Mart.) Plumel (Apocynaceae), a Non‐Timber Forest Product of the Brazilian Savanna

“…, Sousa et al . ). The preliminary results of pharmacological studies of the leaves, bark, and latex of this species have validated its popular use as an analgesic and it's antitumor and immunostimulant properties (Colares et al .…”