Evaluation of Antitumor and Antioxidant Activity of Sargassum tenerrimum against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma in Mice

Abstract

Context: In the last half century, discovering, developing and introducing of clinical agents from marinesources have seen great successes, with examples including the anti-cancer compound trabectedin. However,with increasing need for new anticancer drugs, further exploration for novel compounds from marine organismsources is strongly justified. <br/><b>Objective</b>: The major aim of this study was to evaluate the antitumor and antioxidantpotential of Sargassum tenerrimum J.Agardh (Sargassaceae) on Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) in Swissalbino mice. Materials and <br/><b>Methods</b>: An ethanol extract of S. tenerrimum (EEST) from whole algae was used toevaluate cytotoxicity followed by in vivo assessment of toxicity, using biochemical parameters including hepaticand non-hepatic enzymes. Antioxidant properties were examined in animals bearing EAC treated with dailyoral administration of 100-300 mg/kg extract suspension. <br/><b>Results</b>: Antitumor effects of EEST in EAC bearingmice was observed with LD50 1815 mg/kg. Parameters like body weight, tumor volume, packed cell volume,tumor cell count, mean survival time and increase in life span in animals in the EAC bearing animals treatedwith EEST 300 mg/kg was comparable with control group. Significant differences were also seen with changesin total protein content, hepatic enzymes contents, MDA level, and free radical scavenging enzymes in untreatedvs. EEST treated group animals. <br/><b>Conclusions</b>: Evaluation of antioxidant enzymes and hepatic enzymes in theEAC animal model treated with EEST exhibited similar effects as the positive control drug 5-flurouracil. S.tenerrimum extracts contain effective antioxidants with significant antitumor activity.