DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2016.v04i12.012

Pages: 4231-4238

Cancer is a complex disease involving cell transformation, dysregulation of apoptosis, proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis and metastasis. Treatment for cancer does not have potent medicine as the currently available drugs are causing side effects in some instances. New drugs with milder side effects are needed to replace and improve existing medicine. In this context, the natural products derived from marine organisms have gained significance. The current study aims at evaluating anticancer activity of Ecteinascidia venui against S-180 cell line. The in vitro viability of S-180 cells to varying concentrations of the extract was assessed. In vivo anticancer activity of the ethanol extract of Ecteinascidia venui at doses of 100,150, 200 and vincristin 80 mg/kg body weight against S-180 bearing mice was made by the study of the following parameters: weight of relative organs, tumour, percentage inhibition, median survival time, solid tumor volume, packed cells, viable, non viable cell count, increase in life span and hematology adopting standard methods. The results showed a decrease in tumor weight, volume, packed, viable cells and increase in percentage inhibition, life span, median survival time and non-viable cells. In the groups treated with different doses of extract, the content of Hb, RBC, and Lymphocytes increased whereas WBC, Neutrophils and Eosinophils decreased. The results suggest that the extract of Ecteinascidia venui exhibit significant anticancer activity on S-180 bearing mice.