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Bioactive component, cantharidin from Mylabris cichorii and its antitumor activity against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma

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Abstract

The anticancer activity of the extract of blister beetle, Mylabris cichorii has been documented earlier by us. In the present study, the active principle of M. cichorii was isolated and its anticancer efficacy was evaluated against murine Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC). The isolated bioactive compound was characterized to be cantharidin which showed potent antitumor activity and inhibited the proliferation of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma, both in vivo and in vitro. Cantharidin-treated EAC-bearing mice showed about 82% increase in lifespan at the dose of 0.5 mg/kg/day. In vitro cytotoxicity assay with the 3-(4,5 dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide test revealed about 50% cell death at the concentration of 25.8 μg/ml. The fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy revealed that EAC cells treated with cantharidin depicted typical apoptotic morphology with chromatin condensation, nuclear fragmentation into discrete masses, and plasma membrane blebbing which deduce towards the death of these cells. Histological examination of the kidney of cantharidin-treated mice showed glomerular and tubular congestion with abnormal Bowman’s capsule, thus, indicating a renal toxicity in the host. Cantharidin-induced renal damage in the host was also manifested by the decreased lactate dehydrogenase isozymes and its possible release from the cells.

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Abbreviations

CC:

Column chromatography

EAC:

Ehrlich ascites carcinoma

ILS:

Increase in lifespan

IR:

Infrared

MTT:

{3-(4,5 dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide}

NMR:

Nuclear magnetic resonance

PBS:

Phosphate-buffered saline

TEM:

Transmission electron microscope

TLC:

Thin layer chromatography

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Acknowledgments

We acknowledge the University Grants Commission, New Delhi (India) for providing Research fellowship in science for meritorious students to A.K. Verma. The electron microscope facility was provided by Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facility (SAIF), North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong. The spectroscopic and NMR facility was provided by North-East Institute of Science and Technology, Jorhat, India. We are also thankful to all traditional healers of Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hill district of Assam (India) who helped and shared the required information during field survey and beetles collection.

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  1. Cell and Tumor Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, 793022, India

    Akalesh Kumar Verma & Surya Bali Prasad

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  1. Akalesh Kumar Verma
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Correspondence to Surya Bali Prasad.

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Verma, A.K., Prasad, S.B. Bioactive component, cantharidin from Mylabris cichorii and its antitumor activity against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma. Cell Biol Toxicol 28, 133–147 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10565-011-9206-6

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