Bacopa monniera Extract Inhibits Tumor Promotion in Fibrosarcoma Bearing Rats

Objective: To investigate the tumor inhibitory effect of the ethanolic extract of Bacopa monniera (B. monniera) in 3- Methylcholanthrene (3-MC) induced fibrosarcoma bearing rats. Methods: 3-MC induced fibrosarcoma in male Wistar rats was used to investigate the tumor inhibitory property of B. monniera (20mg/kg, sc, 30 days). Tumor inhibitory property was assessed by studying the mean survival time, body weight and tumor weight changes, activity of the tumor markers like gamma glutamyl transferase (GTT), cathepsin-D, ceruloplasmin, levels of circulating immune complexes (CIC) and histopathological changes. Results: Fibrosarcoma bearing rats exhibited decreased mean survival time (40.45 ± 4.5 days) and body weight (57.66 ± 4.5 gms) with increased tumor weight ( 12.36 ± 0.32 gms), p<0.01. Tumor markers like GTT (5.84 ± 1.13 IU/L, p<0.01) cathepsin - D (7.08 ± 1.29 nmoles of tyrosine liberated/min/mg protein, p<0.01), ceruloplasmin (2.95±0.41 mg/ dl, p<0.05) and CIC (334.6 ± 4.63 OD × 103 , p<0.05) were increased. Histological assessment revealed fibrosarcoma tumor with a typical herring bone pattern. B. monniera treated rats exhibited enhanced mean survival time (54.5 ± 3.9 days), body weight (80 ± 6.2 gms), and decreased tumor weight (5.34± 0.22). GTT (3.13 ± 1.05, p<0.01), cathepsin-D (5.75 ± 0.28, p<0.01), ceruloplasmin (1.59 ± 0.20, p<0.05) and CIC (267 ± 12.98, p<0.05) were found to be lowered. Sections of tumor tissue revealed inhibited tumor progression. Conclusion: The ethanolic extract of B. monniera inhibits tumor progression in fibrosarcoma bearing rats.