ABSTRACT
Phyllanthus amarus is traditionally used for various health conditions which include genital infections, jaundice, inflammation and cancer. 1,2Dimethylhydrazine is a potent colon cancer inducer in animals. This study investigated the effects of 450mg/kg bwt ethanolic extract of Phyllanthus amarus on 1, 2 Dimethylhydrazine induced colorectal cancer in swiss albino mice. 15 male swiss albino mice of weight 14g-26g were acclimatized for a week and separated randomly into 3 groups (5 per group). Group O(-DMH)which was the positive control, Group F (DMH+ 450mg/kg body weight of ethanolic extract of P. amarus) and Group C (DMH+) the negative control. 20 mg/kg body weight of DMH was administered orally a total of 24 doses (3 times a week for 2 months). The plant extracts were administered daily for 2 weeks (14days) with the aid of a dolphingalvage immediately after colon cancer induction. In this study, the antioxidant parameters e,g, SOD and CAT of control were significantly different from the treated group as seen in the result (2.156±0.64 and 1.61± 0.15 )for SOD(unit/mg wet tissue ),(11.66 ± 0.78 and 4.02± 0.678) for CAT(unit/mg of wet tissue). For MDA (mol/mg of wet tissue), GPX (unit/mg of wet tissue) and GSH (MGSH/gram tissue) there was no significant difference when the control group (0.209±0.015) for MDA, (0.037±0.014 )for GPX and (1.23±0.087) for GSH was compared to treated group (4.81±2.236) for MDA, (0.21± 0.164) for GPX and (1.92± 0.194 )for GSH. For liver function test, there was significant difference between the control (168.9 ±24.57), treated (245.02±58.01) and untreated group (156.56±11.68) for ALT activity (u/L) in the liver homogenate, but there was no significant difference at p<0.05 for AST across all groups Control (25.6± 0.58), treated (30.85±0.583) and untreated (29.1±0.579). For kidney function test, the concentration of sodium ion(mm/L) was significantly increased for treated group (211.75±2.028) when compared to control (114±5.79) and DMH group (208.0±25.24) while potassium ion concentration(mm/L) in control group (2.656±0.158) was significantly different in treated (1.73±0.359) and also for the untreated (3.24±0.504). For Bicarbonate ion(mm/L), there is significant difference in control group (4.117±0.08), the treated group (2.51± 0.329) and for the untreated (3.62± 0.937). For creatinine concentration(mg/dL), there was significant difference in the control group (2.13± 0.36) and treated group (1.34±0.13) and insignificant difference in the untreated (1.883± 0.2) and for urea concentration(mg/dL), there is an insignificant difference between the control group (0.717± 0.037) and the treated(0.58±1.84) likewise the untreated(1.75±0.05). In addition, the effect of the plant extract was seen in the weights of the animals. There was significant decrease in the weight of untreated(initial wt. 23.83±1.40, final wt. 21.00±1.16) when compared to control(initial wt. 25.17±1.30 final wt. 27.20±1.51)and treated 21.50± 1.94 final wt.18.67±2.91).For Caspase9(ng/mL) there is a significant difference at p<0.05 when the treated group (6.439±0) was compared to the untreated group(6.335±0.549) but showed significant difference at p<0.05 when compared to the positive control group and for Interleukin 6(pg/mL) there is a significant difference at p<0.05 across all groups, positive(2.765±0.633), treated(3.238±0.234) and untreated(2.586±0.128)……..In conclusion, the results obtained showed that administration of 450mg/kg bwt of ethanolic extract of plant Phyllanthus amarus has some ameliorating potentials against the carcinogenic effects of DMH induced colon carcinogenesis in swisss albino mice.
