ANTICANCER ACTIVITY OF EPIPHYLLUM OXYPETALUM (DC.) LEAVES EXTRACT BY IN-VIVO IN-VITRO MODELS

Colon carcinogenesis is a multistep process that arises by the accretion of genetic alterations. The genetic and epigenetic changes which transform normal colonic epithelium  into aberrant crypt foci which is responsible for penetration. The GC-MS analysis of ethanolic extract of Epiphyllum oxypetalum (DC.) have shown the presence of phenolic compound (4-hydroxy-2-methylacetophenone), Diterpene, steroids which were reported for antioxidant and anticancer activity. In the present study Brine shrimp lethality, Trypan blue assay, and MTT assay in-vitro models are performed. In an in-vivo study, animals were divided into 5 groups as Normal, Control (NMU + distilled water 10ml/kg.), Standard (5-Flurouracil with the dose of 10mg/kg via intraperitoneal route given once in a 3 days of interval for 15 days to complete 5 cycles.), Test I (100mg/kg absolute ethanol extract of leaves of plant Epiphyllum oxypetalum (DC.)) and Test II (200mg/kg absolute ethanol extract of leaves of plant Epiphyllum oxypetalum (DC.)) groups each group comprised 6 animals. Cancer were induced in rats by using N-Methylnitrosourea by intra-rectal instillation method in a dose of 0.4% solution of N-methylnitrosourea 3 times in a week for 3 weeks. After 3 weeks of induction period; Animals in Test I and Test II groups were treated with the dose of 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg of ethanolic extract were administered daily via oral for 8 weeks, respectively. It is concluded that Epiphyllum oxypetalum (DC.) treatment at dose 200mg/kg showed better anticancer activity when compared to the lower dose.