Background: Anti-tumor and antioxidant activity of ethyl acetate extract of Mussaenda philippica sepals (400 mg/kg) was evaluated against Caco-2 cell line in male mice for colon cancer and MCF-7 cell line in female mice for breast cancer.
Materials and methods: After 48 hours of tumor inoculation, the extract was administered daily for 30 days. At the end of the 30 day period, the mice were sacrificed for observation of anti-tumor activity. The effect of Mussaenda philippica sepal extract on the tumor burden, body weight of Caco-2 and MCF-7 bearing hosts and simultaneous alterations in the hematological profile, serum (ALT, LDH, ALP, GGT and glucose) and liver biochemical parameters (lipid peroxidation, GSH, GPx and catalase) were estimated.
Results: The Mussaenda philippica sepal extract showed decrease in abdominal circumference, body weight and organs weight of tumor bearing mice. Hematological profile reverted towards normal levels in extract treated mice. Treatment with Mussaenda philippica sepal extract increased the ferritin levels while CEA (carcinogenic embryonic antigen) levels were found to be decreased. Treatment with Mussaenda philippica sepal extract restored the serum biochemical parameters towards normal levels and decreased the levels of lipid peroxidation and increased the levels of reduced glutathione and other antioxidant enzymes (CAT and GPx).
Conclusion: The ethyl acetate extract of Mussaenda philippica sepal extract exhibited antitumor and antioxidant effect by modulating lipid peroxidation and augmenting antioxidant defense system in Caco-2 and MCF-7 bearing mice.

Keywords: Mussaenda philippica extract, Caco-2, MCF-7, Cell line, Apoptosis, Antitumor,
Antioxidant.