Anti-tumour Activity of the Methanol Extract of Careya Arborea Root against Dalton’s Lymphoma Ascites induced Solid Tumour in Mice

Objective: Careya arborea bark is known for its cytotoxic, antioxidant and anticancer activities. However, the root has not been studied so far for its biological properties. Preliminary studies carried out by us indicated strong cytotoxic and antioxidant effects in vitro of the crude methanol extract of its root. Hence, in the present study, the root extract was examined for its solid tumour inhibition properties in DLA induced mice.  Methods: The root was collected and extracted with methanol by the Soxhlet method. The mice were divided into five groups comprising normal, positive control, standard and extract at two doses. The methanol extract of the root at the doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight was given to DLA induced solid tumour in mice. The treatments were given for 14 days and the anti-tumour, haematological and biochemical estimations were carried out. Results: The methanol extract at both doses significantly inhibited the increase in solid tumour weight, reversed the biochemical and Haematological parameters affected by the DLA towards the normal indicating its anti-tumour nature. The microscopic observations of the sections of the liver of treated mice also indicated the activity. However, the activity was found to be less than that of the standard. Conclusions: The study confirms that like its bark, the root also possess the anti-tumour activity and probably the whole plant may possess anti-tumour active necessitating the need to isolate its active constituents.