Journal of
Medicinal Plants Research

  • Abbreviation: J. Med. Plants Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0875
  • DOI: 10.5897/JMPR
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 3834

Full Length Research Paper

In vivo antitumor effect of the aqueous extract of Punica granatum in the sarcoma 180 murine model

Talita Santos Bastos
  • Talita Santos Bastos
  • Tiradentes University, 300 Murilo Dantas Ave, Farolândia, 49032-490 Aracaju, SE, Brazil.
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Danilo Barauna Nascimento da Costa
  • Danilo Barauna Nascimento da Costa
  • Tiradentes University, 300 Murilo Dantas Ave, Farolândia, 49032-490 Aracaju, SE, Brazil.
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Rafael Barreto Vieira Valois
  • Rafael Barreto Vieira Valois
  • Tiradentes University, 300 Murilo Dantas Ave, Farolândia, 49032-490 Aracaju, SE, Brazil.
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Sara Maria Thomazzi
  • Sara Maria Thomazzi
  • Department of Physiology, Federal University of Sergipe, Marechal Rondon Ave, 49100-000 São Cristóvão, SE, Brazil.
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Marismar Fernandes do Nascimento
  • Marismar Fernandes do Nascimento
  • Tiradentes University, 300 Murilo Dantas Ave, Farolândia, 49032-490 Aracaju, SE, Brazil.
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Grace Anne Azevedo Doria
  • Grace Anne Azevedo Doria
  • Department of Physiology, Federal University of Sergipe, Marechal Rondon Ave, 49100-000 São Cristóvão, SE, Brazil.
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Ricardo Guimaraes Amaral
  • Ricardo Guimaraes Amaral
  • Department of Physiology, Federal University of Sergipe, Marechal Rondon Ave, 49100-000 São Cristóvão, SE, Brazil.
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Silvana Vieira Floresta Gomes
  • Silvana Vieira Floresta Gomes
  • Research and Technology Institute (ITP), 300 Murilo Dantas Ave, 49032-490 Aracaju, SE, Brazil.
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Isabel Bezerra Lima-Verde
  • Isabel Bezerra Lima-Verde
  • Tiradentes University, 300 Murilo Dantas Ave, Farolândia, 49032-490 Aracaju, SE, Brazil.
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Claudia Andrea Lima Cardoso
  • Claudia Andrea Lima Cardoso
  • Course of Chemistry, State University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Rodovia Dourados-Itahum, Km 12, 79804-970 Dourados, MS, Brazil.
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Francine Ferreira Padilha
  • Francine Ferreira Padilha
  • Tiradentes University, 300 Murilo Dantas Ave, Farolândia, 49032-490 Aracaju, SE, Brazil.
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Margarete Zanardo Gomes
  • Margarete Zanardo Gomes
  • Tiradentes University, 300 Murilo Dantas Ave, Farolândia, 49032-490 Aracaju, SE, Brazil.
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Juliana Cordeiro Cardoso
  • Juliana Cordeiro Cardoso
  • Tiradentes University, 300 Murilo Dantas Ave, Farolândia, 49032-490 Aracaju, SE, Brazil.
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Adriana Andrade Carvalho
  • Adriana Andrade Carvalho
  • Department of Pharmacy, Federal University of Sergipe, Padre Alvares Pitangueira Street 248, 58051-970 Lagarto, SE, Brazil.
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Ricardo Luiz Cavalcanti de Albuquerque-Junior
  • Ricardo Luiz Cavalcanti de Albuquerque-Junior
  • Tiradentes University, 300 Murilo Dantas Ave, Farolândia, 49032-490 Aracaju, SE, Brazil.
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  •  Received: 01 August 2018
  •  Accepted: 30 August 2018
  •  Published: 25 October 2018

Abstract

Punica granatum, specifically the fruit, has a long ethno medical history and is a phytochemical reservoir of great medicinal value. The phytochemistry and pharmacological actions of all P. granatum components suggest a wide range of clinical applications. The aim of the present study is to investigate the anticancer potential of aqueous extract of P. granatum (AEPG) in experimental models. The chemical composition of the AEPG was assessed by HPLC-DAD. In vivo antitumor activity was assessed in sarcoma 180 bearing mice. To evaluate the toxicological aspects related to the AEPG treatment, hematological, biochemical, histopathological and morphological analyses of treated animals were performed.  Gallic acid, punicalagin α, punicalagin β, and ellagic acid were identified as the major phytochemical compounds of the extract. AEPG and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) induced significant inhibition of tumor growth when compared with saline (p < 0.05). The percentage of apoptotic cells was significantly increased in 5-FU (p < 0.01) and AEPG treated groups (p < 0.01). No significant difference was observed between 5-FU and the three doses of AEPG. 5-FU induced toxic effects, such as decrease of body weight, splenic atrophy, and leukopenia, but these effects were not found in AEPG treated groups. The results provide evidence that AEPG exhibits comparable antitumor effects as 5-FU in a murine model, likely the result of increased apoptotic rate, but with no remarkable side effects presented by 5-FU.

Key words: Cancer, chemotherapy, Punica granatum, sarcoma 180.

 

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