Efficacy of Curcuma longa Extract Against DMBA Induced Skin Cancer in Rats

The study was aimed to evaluate the antineoplastic property of 70% ethanolic extract of Curcuma longa extract both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro study was conducted using B16F10 melanoma cell line and the cytotoxic activity of the extract was evaluated using Trypan Blue Dye Exclusion test, MTT assay and apoptosis. In vivo study comprised of safety testing and evaluating the chemopreventive effect of the extract on 7, 12- dimethyl-benz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced skin cancer in Wistar rats. The extract revealed in vitro cytotoxic activity and caused apoptosis in nearly 80% of the cells as studied by FACS. 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg C. longa administered orally 15 d before initiation and continued till the end of experiment caused significant delay in the onset and reduction in overall incidence and average number of lesions in rats. There were mostly papilloma and squamous cell carcinoma in positive control but only mild papillomatous lesions without any evidence of infiltration in C. longa treated groups. The tumor remained suppressed as long as the extract was fed but its withdrawal led to recurrence. These findings are suggestive of the continued ingestion of C. longa to benefit from its anticarcinogenic potential.