Indigofera suffruticosa: an alternative anticancer therapy

Abstract

Indigofera suffruticosa Mill (Fabeceae) occurs in the Northeast countryside and has intensive popular use in the treatment of infectious, inflammatory and other processes. The main aim of the present work was to investigate the cytotoxic and antitumor effects of aqueous extracts of leaves of I. suffruticosa obtained by infusion and maceration as well as to evaluate the toxicological properties. Aqueous extracts did not exhibit cytotoxicity against HEp-2 (human epidermoid cancer cell) cell lines by MTT method. From the aqueous extract by infusion, the toxicological assay showed low order of toxicity. The antitumor effect of aqueous extracts by infusion (64.53%) and maceration (62.62%) against sarcoma 180 in mice at a dose of 50 mg kg(-1) (intraperitoneally), based on low order of toxicity was comparable to the control group, which showed 100% development. Considering the low order of toxicity and that it is highly effective in inhibiting growth of solid tumors, the aqueous extracts of leaves of I. suffruticosa may be used as an alternative anticancer agent.

Keywords: Indigofera suffruticosa; antitumor; aqueous extract; cytotoxicity; toxicity.

Figure 1.

Indigofera suffruticosa Mill. Aspect of blossomed branch.

Figure 2.

Antitumoral activity of the aqueous extracts of leaves of I. suffruticosa by infusion and maceration in Swiss albino mice after implant of the Sarcoma 180. In the control animals, 0.2 ml of saline solution was injected and in the treated groups (infusion and maceration), 50 mg kg⁻¹ i.p. during 7 days. The results of the antitumoral activity are expressed as the median (min–max). n = 30 mice. *P < 0.001.