Protective Effect of Terminalia arjuna Against DBTC Induced Pancreatic Cancer in Male Wistar Rats

Aims: To study the protective effect of hydroalcoholic bark extract of Terminalia arjuna against DBTC induced pancreatic cancer in male wistar rats.

Study design: Healthy male Wistar Albino rats weighing 150-200 g were segregated into four groups (n=6). Group I was considered as normal control, received normal saline (0.9%w/v, 1 ml/kg body weight, orally). Group II rats were treated with DBTC (6 mg/kg body weight, i.p.) which served as negative control. Group III and IV received Terminalia arjuna Linn bark hydroalcoholic extract at doses of 250 mg/kg body weight, per oral and 500 mg/kg body weight, per oral respectively.

Place and Duration of Study: University College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India, between May 2020 and July 2020.

Methodology: The experimental animals were segregated into four groups of six rats each. According to acute toxicity data, 250 mg/kg as low dose and 500 mg/kg as high dose of the test compound have been chosen for administration. All the drugs were given for 28 consecutive days to all the respective groups with standard pellet diet and water ad libitum. The assessment of serum parameters such as α-Amylase, Lipase and blood glucose levels were carried out on 1st day, 14th day and 28th day to the respective groups.

Results: Pretreated groups of Terminalia arjuna Linn bark hydroalcoholic extract (250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg body weight, orally) showed significant (‘#’p<0.001) decrease in the levels of α-Amylase, Lipase and glucose in the blood when compared to DBTC (6 mg/kg body weight, i.p.) induced group which served as negative control.

Conclusion: This study suggests that Terminalia arjuna may have a protective role against DBTC induced pancreatic cancer in male wistar rats and further investigation may be required to confirm its therapeutic potentials clinically.