Suppression of DMBA/Croton Oil-induced Mouse Skin Tumor Promotion by Ardisia Crispa Root Hexane Extract

Ardisia crispa (Family: Myrsinaceae) has been used as a traditional medicine for various ailments. Previousstudies showed that Ardisia crispa possesses antimetastatic and anti-inflammatory properties. Nevertheless,research done on the plant is still limited. Therefore, the present study was designed to evaluate the suppressioneffect of Ardisia crispa root hexane (ACRH) extract on 7, 12-dimethylbenz (α) anthracene (DMBA)-inducedmice skin tumor promotion in ICR mice with topical application twice weekly for 10 weeks. Results showedsignificant difference between treatment groups (mice treated with 30 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg of ACRHextract; denoted as group I, II and III respectively) for tumor incidence and tumor burden (P<0.05). Significantreduction in tumor incidence (20%), tumor burden (1.5 ± 0.50), tumor volume (2.49 ± 1.70) and delayed latencyperiod of tumor formation was observed in group I (30 mg/kg) in comparison to carcinogen control. This studyindicates that ACRH extract could be a promising skin tumor promotion suppressing agent at a lower dosage(30 mg/kg). Further studies are required to elucidate the underlying mechanism(s) leading to this effect.