Repeated toxicological study and cardiotoxicity of hydroalcoholic root extract of Paullinia pinnata L (Sapindaceae)

Four Togolese plant species exhibiting cytotoxicity and antitumor activities lightning polytherapy approach in cancer treatment

Background

Cancer is leading to premature deaths across the globe. Therapeutic approaches are still being developed to enhance the survival of cancer patients. In our previous study, extracts from four Togolese plants, namely, Cochlospermum planchonii (CP), Piliostigma thonningii (PT), Paullinia pinnata (PP), and Securidaca longipedunculata (SL), actually used in traditional medicine for cancer treatment, showed beneficial health effects against oxidative stress, inflammation, and angiogenesis.

Purpose

In the present study, we aimed to investigate the cytotoxicity and antitumor activities of these four plant extracts.

Material and methods

Breast, lung, cervical, and liver cancer cell lines were exposed to the extracts, and viability was assessed using the Sulforhodamine B method. P. pinnata and S. longipedunculata with significant cytotoxicity were selected for in vivo tests. The acute oral toxicity of these extracts was assessed using BALB/c mice. The antitumor activity was evaluated using the EAC tumor bearing mice model, wherein mice were orally treated with extracts at different concentrations for 14 days. The standard drug was cisplatin (3.5 mg/kg, i.p), single dose.

Results

Cytotoxicity tests revealed that SL, PP, and CP extracts have more than 50% cytotoxicity at 150 μg/mL. The acute oral toxicity of PP and SL at 2000 mg/kg did not show any toxic signs. At therapeutic doses of 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of PP and 40 mg/kg, 80 mg/kg, and 160 mg/kg of SL, extracts showed beneficial health effects by modulating several biological parameters. SL extract significantly reduced tumor volume (P < 0.001), cell viability, and normalized hematological parameters. SL also demonstrated a strong anti-inflammatory activity similar to the standard drug. The SL extract also revealed a significant increase of the life span of treated mice. PP extract reduced the tumor volume and significantly improved the values of endogenous antioxidants. Both PP and SL extracts also exerted significant anti-angiogenic potency.

Conclusion

The study indicated that polytherapy would be a panacea for the efficient use of medicinal plant extracts against cancer. This approach will make it possible to act simultaneously on several biological parameters. Molecular studies of both extracts targeting key cancer genes in several cancer cells are currently underway.

Toxicity and Activity of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Paullinia pinnata Linn (Sapindaceae) in Shigella flexneri-Induced Diarrhea in Wistar Rats

Herbal products from Paullinia pinnata Linn are widely used in African folk medicine to treat several infectious diseases. Although the extracts from this plant has been shown to possess antimicrobial potential, their activity in infectious diarrhea is less reported. Diarrhea was induced by oral administration of 1.2 × 10⁹ CFU/mL of Shigella flexneri to the rats. The infected rats were treated for 5 days with the doses of 111.42, 222.84, and 445.68 mg/kg of P pinnata. The level of biochemical parameters was assessed and histology of organs examined by 14 days subacute toxicity. S flexneri stool load was considerably reduced after 4 days of treatment with the dose of 445.68 mg/kg, 5 days at the dose of 222.84 mg/kg for the extract, and 2 days with ciprofloxacin. The dose of 111.42 mg/kg appeared efficient after 5 days of treatment. The creatinine level increased at the dose of 445.68 mg/kg in both male and female rats and decrease at the dose of 222.84 mg/mL in female rats while an increase was noted in the male rats. Liver and kidney histology were modified at the dose of 445.68 mg/kg while no change was observed at the doses of 111.42 and 222.84 mg/kg. P pinnata leaf extract is efficient against infectious diarrhea at 111.42 mg/kg without side effect.