ELSEVIER Cancer Letters 112 (1997) 2 19-223 CANCER LETTERS Effect of Sobatum on tumour development and chemically induced carcinogenesis P.V. Mohanana9*, KS. Devib “Toxicology Group, Biomedical Technology Wing, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology. Poojapura 695 012, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India hDepartment of Biochemistry. University qf Kerala, Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram, Keraln, lndin Received 14 August 1996; revision received 28 November 1996; accepted 28 November 1996 Abstract The partially purified component of SoZunum trilobatum named Sobatum was obtained from the petroleum ether/ethyl acetate (75:25) extractable portion. It was found to be cytotoxic in Dalton’s Lymphoma ascites (DLA), Ehrlich ascites (EA) cell lines and tissue culture cells (L929 and Vero). Sobatum significantly inhibited peritoneal tumours induced by DLA and EA tumour cells. Sobatum was also found to reduce solid tumour growth in mice, when given either simultaneously or prophylactically, and is more active in simultaneous administration (EA). It was found that Sobatum was more active against EA cells-induced solid tumour than DLA-induced solid tumours. On exposure to 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA), about 85.67% animals had induced skin carcinogenesis, which was significantly inhibited to 44.4% by the application of Sobatum. It can be concluded that the Sobatum has the ability to retard the development of solid tumours and DMBA-induced carcinogenesis. 0 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved Keywordr: Solid tumour; Carcinogenicity; Sobatum; Ehrlich ascites (EA); Dalton’s Lymphoma ascites (DLA) 1. Introduction There is a growing trend to accept plant medicines becauseof their low toxicities and high medicinal effectiveness. The medicinal importance of plants was reported by many researchers [1,2]. In view of this fact, it was decided to evaluate an indigenous anticancer drug from the plant Solanum trilobatum. All parts of this common shrub of southern India are said to be useful in asthma,chronic febrile affections and difficult parturition. Its pivotal action is as a car- minative [3]. The partially purified component of * Corresponding author. Solanum trilobatum, namedasSobatum,was obtained from petroleum ether/ethyl acetate(75:25) extractable portion. Sobatum was found to be cytotoxic in Dal- ton’s Lymphoma ascites(DLA), Ehrlich ascites (EA) cell lines and tissue culture cells (L929 and Vero). Sobatum significantly inhibited the peritoneal tumours induced by DLA and EA tumour cells. The effect was more prominent when Sobatumwas admi- nistered orally as evidenced from the increasedper- centage of life span. Sobatum did not produce any chromosomal anomaliesor micronuclei in the bone marrow cells of Swissmice [4,5]. Moreover, Sobatum has the ability to inhibit (free radical scavenging activity) the UV light-induced damage as well as 03043835/97/$17.00 0 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved PI1 SO3043835(96)04574-0