Evaluation of anticarcinogenic and antimutagenic potential of Bauhinia variegata extract in Swiss albino mice.

BACKGROUND: Infusions from the bark of Bauhinia is used to treat various diseases in the traditional medical system of India and decoction of the roots is used in dyspepsia and act as an antidote to snake poison. Its chemopreventive potential for cancer was the subject of the present study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To evaluate the anticarcinogenicity and antimutagenicity of Kachanar extract a skin carcinogenesis and melanoma tumour model was used, along with micronucleus and chromosomal aberration tests, in Swiss albino mice. RESULTS: In the skin papilloma model, significant prevention, with delayed appearance and reduction in the cumulative no. of papillomas was observed in the DMBA + Kachanar + croton oil treated group as compared to the DMBA + Croton Oil group. C57 Bl mice which received a 50 % methanolic extract of Kachanar extract at the doses of 500 and 1,000 mg/ kg body weight for 30 days showed increase in life span and tumour size was significantly reduced as compared to controls. In antimutagenicity studies, a single application of Kachanar extract at doses of 300, 600 and 900 mg/kg dry weight, 24 hours prior the i.p. administration of cyclophosphamide (at 50 mg/kg) significantly prevented micronucleus formation and chromosomal aberrations in bone marrow cells of mice, in a dose dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that Kachanar extract exerts anticarcinogenic and antimutagenic activity.