Antitumoral and antiangiogenic activity of Synadenium umbellatum Pax

J Ethnopharmacol. 2008 Dec 8;120(3):474-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2008.08.026. Epub 2008 Sep 2.

Abstract

Aim of the study: Synadenium umbellatum Pax (SU), a plant used in the Midwestern region of Brazil, was tested for its antitumor and antiangiogenic activities in vitro, using K-562 and Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT) cells, and in vivo, using the EAT-bearing model.

Materials and methods: The viability of tumor cells was evaluated by MTT and trypan blue exclusion assays, after incubation with the ethanolic extract of SU (EESU) (0.15-20mg/mL) or equivalent concentrations of its partitioned fractions (chloroformic, hexanic, and methanolic). In vivo studies were performed in EAT-bearing mice treated intraperitoneally with 5, 10, and 25mg/kg of the EESU or equivalent doses of the fractions for 10 days. The methotrexate (1.5mg/kg), for 10 days, was used as control.

Results: SU and fractions, except the methanolic, decreased the viability of the cells in a concentration-dependent manner. In vivo results showed a significant dose-dependent antitumoral efficacy of SU against EAT growth. The best results in prolonging life span were produced by 25mg/kg of EESU. In these animals, the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor were markedly decreased after the treatment.

Conclusions: The data presented herein could open interesting perspectives for further research of SU as a candidate anticancer agent.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / isolation & purification
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / isolation & purification
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Brazil
  • Carcinoma, Ehrlich Tumor / drug therapy
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Euphorbiaceae / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • K562 Cells
  • Leukemia / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Medicine, Traditional
  • Mice
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Plant Extracts / isolation & purification
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Survival Analysis
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / analysis

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Plant Extracts
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • vascular endothelial growth factor A, mouse