Effects of Ethanolic Extract of Selaginella sp. on DMBA-induced Carcinogenesis in Female Sprague Dawley Rats

Abstract

Our previous study shown that ethanolic extract of Selaginella sp. (EES) has cytotoxic activity against cancer cell. In this current study, its effects on DMBA-induced tumor in female Sprague Dawley rats in vivo were investigated. The rats were divided randomly into 5 groups (8 rats each) named P (healthy control), Q (cancer control), R (treatment group, EES Dose 250 mg/kgbw), S (treatment group, EES Dose 500 mg/kgbw), and T (treatment group, EES Dose 750 mg/kgbw). EES in aquadest solution was administered orally for 7 weeks. DMBA in corn oil solution as tumor inducer was administered orally in 3 times. The rats were checked daily for mammary tumors by palpation after 7 weeks administration for 16 weeks. Macroscopic observations on vital organs of the rats were done during necropsy. This study showed that the number of rats suffered from tumor was declined in the higher dose. The highest dose in treatment group had the smallest number of tumor compare to the other treatment groups, but gave the highest mortality (50%), though 25% rats had no tumor and showed great body weight gain. In summary, the highest dose had not shown significant chemoprevention activity yet. Further study using higher doses is needed.