Anticarcinogenic Screening of Terminaliaarjuna in swiss albino mice

Terminalia arjuna bark extract against 7, 12 - dimethylbenz (a) anthracene (DMBA) induced papillomagenesis in Swiss albino mice was studied. The ethanolic bark extract of Terminalia arjuna was analyzed for chemopreventive activity.Chemopreventive activity was evaluated by two stage protocol consisting of initiation with a single topical application of a carcinogen (7, 12 - dimethylbenz (a) anthracene (DMBA) followed by a promoter (croton oil) two times in a week were employed. A significant reduction in tumor incidence, tumor burden and cumulative number of papillomas was observed, along with a significant increase in average latent period in mice treated tropically with Terminalia arjuna bark extract as compared to the control group treated with DMBA and croton oil alone. Significant elevation in the level of reduced glutathione (p<0.05) was noted in the group treated Terminalia arjuna bark extract in comparison with the negative control group. Conversely, lipid peroxidation levels were significantly decreased (P<0.05). The above studies reveal information about the prevention of cancer. Therefore, the present study is immensely important in future drug development programs for the cancer treatment.