Chemotherapeutic Efficacy of Indigofera aspalathoides on 20-Methylcholanthrene-Induced Fibrosarcoma in Rats.

The present study was undertaken to test the chemopreventive effects of one herbal medicinal plant, Indigofera aspalathoides, on chemically induced carcinogenesis in rats. A well-known polyaromatic hydrocarbon, namely, 20-methylcholanthrene, which is a known carcinogenic substance, was used to induce fibrosarcoma in Wistar strain of male albino rats. Fibrosarcoma rats were treated with aqueous extracts of Indigofera aspalathoides. The rats were divided into four groups, each consisting of six animals. Group I served as normal control, Group II served as fibrosarcoma-induced animals, Group III were fibrosarcoma-bearing animals treated with aqueous extracts of Indigofera aspalathoides, and Group IV animals, which were normal healthy animals treated with Indigofera aspalathoides aqueous extract, served as drug control set. Group III and Group IV animals were treated with aqueous extract of Indigofera aspalathoides intraperitoneally at a dose of 250 mg/kg. b.w. for 30 days. The fibrosarcoma was proved by pathological examinations. The activity levels of nucleic acids such as total DNA and RNA and hexose, hexosamine, and sialic acid in liver and kidney of treated rats were used to monitor the chemopreventive role of the plant extract. The observed increase in the levels of DNA, RNA, hexose, hexosamine, and sialic acid in liver and kidney tissues of fibrosarcoma-bearing animals reached near normal state after the treatment with aqueous extracts of Indigofera aspalathoides, suggesting that Indigofera aspalathoides does have a chemotherapeutic role.

1. Introduction

The disease cancer will become the leading cause of mortality among human population [1]. Chemical carcinogenesis due to a number of agents is a proven fact. Over 67% of cancers are presently attributed to environmental factors of which chemicals occupy a predominant proportion [2]. Consistent evidence shows carcinogenesis to be caused by certain chemicals such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) like 20-methylcholanthrene or 3-methylcholanthrene. They are readily detected in the air we breathe or the tobacco that we smoke [3]. 20-Methylcholanthrene (20-MCA) causes a wide range of tumors in all animal models.

The specific type of cancer produced varies with the root of administration and include, tumors of the skin, soft tissues, and breast. PAHs are metabolized by cytochrome P450-dependent mixed-function oxidases to give electrophilic epoxides. The epoxides either get detoxified or bind covalently to the DNA. The resultant abnormal DNA induces abnormal cell division and produce malignancy [3]. 20-MCA has been extensively used as an effective experimental model in the field of carcinogenesis.

Carcinogenesis is a multistage disease process. The events leading to cancer is sequential, involving both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. At the molecular level, cancer is caused by abnormal gene expression. This occurs through a number of mechanisms including a direct damage to DNA leading to abnormal transcription of genome. Majority of chemical carcinogens cause mutations presumably in critical genes and alter the cell growth and differentiation through epigenetic factors. The development of fully malignant tumor is to involve the activation of altered expression of proto-oncogenes to oncogenes and the loss or inactivation of tumor suppression gene, the function of which is to control normal cellular activity [4]. In the present study, 20-MCA was used as a fibrosarcoma inducing agent in rats. Fibrosarcoma is a tumor composed of collagen fibers forming mesenchymal cells of fibroblasts and they arise from subcutaneous fibrous tissues [5]. The tumor is a large, firm, and pale mass without any capsule and infiltrates into the surrounding tissues. The tumor occurs near fibrous tissues and mostly in the region of thigh and knee.

Most patients present with a solitary palpable mass ranging from 3 to 8 cm in the greatest dimension. The peak age for fibrosarcoma incidence is 30 to 55 years. Most studies have reported a slightly higher incidence of this tumor in men than in women [6]. Fibrosarcomas are assigned grades, from 1 to 3, the higher grade sarcomas (grade 2 or 3) pose a significant threat and present problems in local control [7]. Histological grading of fibrosarcoma is mainly based on the degree of cellularity, degree of cellular differentiation, number of mitotic figures, the amount of collagen produced by the tumor cells, and the extent of necrosis.

It is a fact that both surgery and radiotherapy may fail to cure cancer chiefly because the tumors might have already decimated to other parts of the body. For this reason, chemotherapy is considered as one of the best alternative.

Chemotherapy, although being a major treatment modality used in the control of advanced stages of malignancies, exhibits severe toxicity on normal tissues [8]. Plant products which have antioxidant and anticancer properties could be considered as good chemopreventive agents. Recent researches revolve around the urgency to evolve suitable chemotherapy with less or no toxic side effects.

Plants have played a major role in treatment of various diseases of animals and humans since time immemorial. More than 50% of all modern drugs are of natural origin and many of which have the ability to control and cure cancer [9]. A large number of active principles from traditional medicinal plants have been reported to have chemopreventive properties [10]. Most of the studies on chemoprevention are based on individual chemicals with well-defined mechanisms. Since carcinogenesis is a multifactorial and multistage process, the individual active compounds or active principles may not always be effective to control all the stages and, therefore, it is of interest to investigate the chemopreventive effect of crude extracts of plants which might control the different stages of cancer etiology as compounds like saponins, tannins, steroids, alkaloids present therein might act holistically to effect a proper cure for cancer.

The plant Indigofera aspalathoides is used as a potent drug for many diseases in the traditional Indian system. This plant belongs to the family Papilionaceae and it is commonly known as Sivanar Vembu or Iraivanar Vembu in Tamil language of India. The leaves, flowers, and tender shoots are said to be cooling and demulcent [11].This plant is used for the treatment of leprosy, syphilis, and various skin diseases [12]. The plant mainly contains saponins, tannins, steroids, alkaloids, flavonoids, and reducing sugars. The present study was aimed at finding out the curative role of the aqueous extract of Indigofera aspalathoides on 20-MCA-induced fibrosarcoma in rats. Some reports of its anticancer and antioxidant properties are already been studied by us [13-16]. The present study is to further know this plant's chemopreventive role on some more parameters like total DNA and RNA content and on parameters like hexose, hexosamine, and sialic acid.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Plant Materials

Resh aerial parts (leaves, stems, and seeds) of the plant Indigofera aspalathoides were obtained and authenticated by the Chief Botanist, Tamil Nadu Aromatic and Medicinal Plants Corporation Limited (TAMPCOL) at Government Siddha Medical College Campus, Arumbakkam, Chennai, India in 2001.

2.2. Preparation of Plant Extract

1 kg. of the shade dried and coarsely powdered aerial parts of the plant Indigofera aspalathoides was charged in an aspiration bottle and allowed to soak in double distilled water for 48 hrs at room temperature. The extract was filtered and concentrated on a water bath. The inorganic material was precipitated and filtered off. The filtrate was again concentrated in a China dish and dried in vacuum. The yield of the extract was 10% w/w of the powdered aqueous extract. This was stored in refrigerator for further and future use.

2.3. Acute Toxicity Studies

Acute toxicity study of AEIA (acute toxicity of Indigofera aspalathoides) was done as per OECD guideline 425, using albino male rats. The animals was kept fasting overnight providing only with water, after which the extract was administered orally for one animal at the limit dose of 2500 mg kg−1 and observed for 14 days ( special attention for the first 4 hrs of administration followed by the next 20 hrs). In case of the death, the limit test was terminated and main test was conducted. If the animal survived, four additional animals were dosed sequentially so that five animals could be tested. However, if three animals died, the limit test was terminated and the main test was performed. The LD50 is greater than 2500 mg kg−1 if three or more animals survived. If an animal died unexpectedly late in the study and there were other survivors, it was appropriate to stop dosing and observing all animals to see if other animals also die during a similar observation period.

2.4. Acute Toxicity Test

The AEIA has not shown any mortality at the limit dose of 2500 mg kg−1 body weight. AEIA was found to be safe even at a higher concentration and, based on this, the dose for the chemopreventive activity was chosen.

2.5. Animals

Wistar strain male albino rats weighing 100 to 120 g were obtained from TANUVAS-LAMU, Madhavaram, Chennai, India. The animals were fed with normal pellet diet (rat chew) and water ad libitum. The study protocol, approved by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, was followed (Institutional Animals Ethics Committee (IAEC) no. 07/15/02).

2.6. Sample Collection

The animals were sacrificed by cervical decapitation at the end of the experimental period and the liver and kidney were dissected out and known weight of liver and kidney were homogenized in 0.1 M Tris-HCl buffer (pH-7.4). Animals were starved overnight before sacrifice.

2.7. Chemicals

All the chemicals and reagents used were purchased from M/s. Sigma Chemicals, USA.

2.8. Induction of Fibrosarcoma

Fibrosarcoma was induced in Wistar strain of male albino rats by subcutaneous implantation of Millipore filter disc, impregnated with 5% suspension of 20-MCA in paraffin oil [17]. Tumors which appeared in about 4 weeks after implantation were highly localized and were maintained by serial transplantation. The tumor was minced and suspended in normal saline. A suspension of about 1 × 106 cells in 0.5 mL of saline was injected subcutaneously, into the thigh. The transplanted tumor became palpable in 4–6 days time.

2.8.1. Histopathological Analysis

The liver and kidney of control and experimental animals were used for histopathological analysis. It was carried out in Department of Pathology, Madras Medical College, Chennai, India. Figures 1 and 2 show the architecture of both liver and kidney, respectively, before and after treatment on fibrosarcoma-bearing animals with Indigofera aspalathoides aqueous extract. From the figures, it is clear that the treatment of this drug has restored the liver and kidney architecture.

Figure 1

The histopathological patterns in liver before and after treatment.

Figure 2

The histopathological patterns in kidney before and after treatment.

2.9. Experimental Design

The rats were divided into four different groups, each group consisting of six animals. Group I animals served as normal control, Group II animals were fibrosarcoma-bearing animals after the incubation period, Group III animals were fibrosarcoma-bearing animals treated with aqueous extract of Indigofera aspalathoides intraperitoneally at a dose of 250 mg/kg b. w. for 30 days, and Group IV animals which were administered with the aqueous extract of Indigofera aspalathoides alone, at a dose of 250 mg/kg b. w. for 30 days, served as drug control animals.

2.10. Tumor Measurements

Tumor measurements were made using a vernier calipers, and tumor diameter (Td) was calculated using the formula stated elsewhere. The experiments were repeated twice

2.11. Statistical Analysis

The statistical data was presented as the ± standard deviation (SD). One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), using SPSS 7.5 student version, was used for statistical significance between groups. The Tukey's multiple comparison method was used to compare the means of different groups and the significance was denoted by P value.

2.12. Estimation of Nucleic Acids

A known amount of tissue was homogenized in 5 mL of ice cold distilled water using a Portor Elvehjem homogenizer with a Teflon pestle. 5 mL of 5% trichloroacetic acid was added to the homogenate and this was kept in ice for 30 minute to allow complete precipitation of proteins. The mixture was centrifuged and the precipitate obtained was washed thrice with ice cold 10% TCA. Then it was treated with 95% ethanol to remove the lipids. The final precipitate was heated at 90°C for 15 minutes which facilitated the quantitative separation of nucleic acids from proteins. The supernatant after centrifugation was used for the estimation of DNA and RNA [18].

2.13. Estimation of DNA

The method of Burton 1956 [19] was followed for DNA estimation. A known volume of nucleic acid aliquot was made up to 3 mi with 1 N perchloric acid. This was mixed with 2 mL of diphenylamine reagent. This was kept in boiling water bath for 10 minutes and the blue colour developed was recorded at 640 nm in a spectrophotometer. A reagent blank and standards were also carried out. The values are expressed as mg/g wet tissue.

2.14. Estimation of RNA

The estimation was carried out by the method of Rawal et al. 1977 [20]. Aliquot of nucleic acid was made up to 2 mL with 5% trichloroacetic acid. 3 mL of Orcinol-Ferric chloride reagent was added to this and mixed well. The tubes were heated in a water bath for 20 minutes. Reagent blanks and standards were also treated in the same way. The tubes were cooled and the colour developed was measured at 640 nm using a spectrophotometer. The values were expressed in mg/g wet tissue.

2.15. Estimation of Hexose and Hexosamine and Sialic Acid

A known volume of delipidised tissue sample residue was mixed with 2 mL ethanol and left for 20 minutes and then centrifuged. 3 mL of 3 N HCL was added to the precipitate and hydrolysed for 4 hours at 100°C in a water bath for the estimation of hexose and hexosamine by the method of Folsch, 1951 [21].

2.16. Estimation of Hexose

The method of Niebes, 1972 [22], was followed for estimating hexose. To 0.5 mL of neutrilised sample, 7 mL Orcinol reagent was added very slowly to the tubes keeping them in ice water bath. The contents were mixed well and the tubes were heated at 80°C for 15 minutes. After cooling the dark colour developed was read at 540 nm using a spectrophotometer. The standard consisted of 25 to 100 μg of hexose and the blank containing 0.5 mL of water instead of the sample was also treated in the same way. The Hexose content was expressed as mg/g of defatted tissue for liver and kidney.

2.17. Estimation of Hexosamine

The level of Hexosamine was assayed by the method of Wagner, 1979 [23]. 0.5 mL of the neutralized sample was made up to 1 mL with water. Standard galactosamine was made up to 1 mL. The blank comprised of 1 mL of water. 0.6 mL of acetyl-acetone reagent was added to all the tubes and heated in a boiling water bath for 30 minutes. After cooling, 2 mL of Ehrlich reagent was added and the contents were shaken well. The pink colour developed was read at 540 nm against blank. The Hexosamine content was expressed in mg/g of defatted tissues of liver and kidney.

2.18. Estimation of Sialic Acid

The method of Warren, 1959 [24], was used to estimate sialic acid. A known amount of delipidised residue of the tissue was hydrolysed with 1 mL of 0.1 N sulphuric acid at 80°C for one hour. The hydrolysed materials were neutralized and used for estimation of sialic acid. To 0.5 mL of neutralized sample, 0.25 mL of Periodate was added and incubated at 37°C for 30 minutes. After the incubation, the reaction was arrested by the addition of 0.25 mL of Arsenite. The tubes were shaken well. 2 mL of TBA was added and the tubes were heated for 6 minutes in water bath. 5 mL of acidified butanol was added to the tubes after cooling and shaken well. Once settled, the butanol phase was separated. The absorbance for colour was read at 540 nm against a blank. Standard N-acetylneuraminic acid was also treated similarly. Sialic acid content was expressed as mg/mL of defatted tissue for liver and kidney.

3. Results and Discussion

Table 1 depicts the levels of nucleic acid, DNA, and RNA in the liver and kidney of control and experimental animals. Elevated levels of DNA and RNA were observed in Group II animals as compared to normal control, Group I animals. In the fibrosarcoma-bearing Indigofera-aspalathoides-treated Group III animals, the DNA and RNA levels reached near normal levels. No significant alteration occurred in the values of DNA and RNA in Group IV animals which were treated with the plant extract alone as compared with the normal Group I animals. The lack of difference in the results in Group IV and Group I normal control animals clearly demonstrates that Indigofera aspalathoides extracts do not have any toxic side effects which justifies the choice of this drug. Nucleic acids play a vital role during neoplastic transformation.

Table 1

The levels of nucleic acids in liver and kidney of control and experimental animals.

Parameters (mg/gm.wt. of tissue)	Group I (control)	Group II (fibrosarcoma)	Group III (fibrosarcoma+ I. aspalathoides)	Group IV I. aspalathoides
Liver
DNA	5.45 ± 0.46	6.54 ± 0.25a∗	5.46 ± 0.45a NS b∗	5.32 ± 0.34aNS
RNA	7.58 ± 0.27	8.95 ± 0.45a∗	7.72 ± 0.29a NS b∗	4.38 ± 0.22aNS
Kidney
DNA	4.42 ± 2.1	5.90 ± 0.54a∗	4.48 ± 0.29a NS b∗	4.38 ± 0.22aNS
RNA	6.34 ± 0.38	7.99 ± 0.36a∗	6.25 ± 0.41a NS b∗	6.23 ± 0.42a NS

aGroup II, III, and IV compared with Group I, bGroup III compared with Group II. Values are mean ± SD: N = 6, *p < 0.001, @p < 0.05. NS: not significant.

DNA and RNA contents were studied in order to determine the effects of Indigofera aspalathoides on macromolecular synthesis in fibrosarcoma. It has been observed that the tumor growth corresponds with the elevated levels of DNA and RNA synthesis in the liver and kidney. The levels of DNA and RNA progressively increased in fibrosarcoma animals. Among the two, DNA increase was much prominent compared to RNA content. But after the treatment with Indigofera aspalathoides, there was a marked decrease in the content of these two nucleic acids suggesting that the plant extract might have controlled their biosynthesis indicating the tumoricidal effect during cancer therapy.

Table 2 depicts the levels of hexose, hexosamine, and sialic acid in liver and kidney of control and experimental animals. In Group II fibrosarcoma-bearing animals, the levels of these three parameters in liver and kidney tissues were significantly elevated (P < 0.001) as compared to that of the control group animals. But in Group III drug-treated animals, these protein levels were reverted back to near normal condition as compared with Group II fibrosarcoma animals. No significant changes of these levels were observed in Group IV drug-alone-treated animals when compared to normal control group I animals.

Table 2

The levels of hexose, hexosamine, and sialic acid in liver and kidney of control and experimental animals.

Parameters (mg/g. defatted tissue)	Group I Control	Group II Fibrosarcoma	Group III Fibrosarcoma + I. aspalathoides	Group IV I. aspalathoides
Liver: hexose	19.44 ± 1.84	31.89 ± 2.72a∗	23.55 ± 2.12a@b∗	20.91 ± 1.66a NS
Hexosamine	4.09 ± 0.36	8.86 ± 0.92a∗	5.06 ± 0.46a∗b∗	4.70 ± 0.32a NS
Sialic acid	0.28 ± 0.02	0.76 ± 0.08a∗	0.35 ± 0.04a@b∗	0.29 ± 0.03a NS
Kidney: hexose	18.84 ± 1.50	26.16 ± 3.05a∗	20.18 ± 2.11a@b∗	19.22 ± 1.75a NS
Hexosamine	2.17 ± 0.17	3.39 ± 0.38a∗	2.62 ± 0.20a@b∗	2.27 ± 0.16a NS
Sialic acid	0.30 ± 0.03	0.55 ± 0.07a∗	0.36 ± 0.05aNSb∗	0.32 ± 0.03a NS

aGroup II, III, and IV compared with Group I, bGroup III compared with Group II. Values are mean ± SD: N = 6, *p < 0.001, @p < 0.05, NS: not significant.

Heidelberger, 1975 [25], has sited the reduced levels of proteins in neoplastic tissues. The liver is an important site of protein metabolism and it has the highest rate of protein synthesis. Major protein mass of the organism is severely affected in cancer cachexia. Protein waste implies the underlying metabolic imbalance which is being expressed by an elevation in the apparent protein degradation rate with no change in the apparent synthesis rate [26]. Reduced liver protein in Moris-hepatoma-bearing animals, in Walker 256 carcinoma, and in some other reports suggests increased protein degradation [27]. There is decrease in the recycling of amino acids in tumor conditions resulting in enhanced efflux of these amino acids from the tissues. Thus the host response to the tumor load results in tissue protein breakdown. Treatment with Indigofera aspalathoides might have prevented this protein breakdown thus bringing the protein levels to near normal condition.

The crucial role of cell surface and cell membrane constituents in neoplastic behaviours and the changes in serum and tissue glycoconjugates have long been associated with malignancies [28]. Abnormal increase in the level of plasma protein components has been related to the changes in hepatic cells during neoplastic transformation. Mecbeth and Bakesi, 1994 [29], postulated that the presence of tumor in hepatic cells induces the synthesis of glycoproteins, which subsequently appear in circulation. Large amounts of hexose, hexosamnine, and sialic acids were reported in many cancer conditions [30].

Sialic acid is acetylated derivative of neuraminic acid and exists as terminal component of nonreducing end of carbohydrate chains of glycoprotein. Levels of sialic acid can be useful in early detection of cancer indicating progress of the disease, degree of metastasis, and possible recurrence [31]. Increased activity of sialyltransferase leads to an increased expression of sialic acid in cancer conditions. The influence of sialic acid on the oncogenicity of tumor cells has been studied by many investigators as the main determinant of the cell surface negative charge electromobility and the loss of contact inhibition. It also acts as an antigen-masking agent and as component of cell surface involved in the adherence of tumor cells to mesothelial membrane to form metastasis [32]. The reversal of glycoprotein levels to almost normal after the treatment of Indigofera aspalathoides may be due to its potent antitumor activity. The plant extract may alter cell membrane glycoprotein synthesis and structure. Thus the aqueous extract of Indigofera aspalathoides shows strong anticancer potency.