Chemopreventive effect of Gymnema sylvestre in Swiss albino mice

Gymnema is popularly known as gurmar or Madhunashini (destroyer of sugar), as chewing the leaves causes a loss of sweet taste. Gymnema sylvestre leaves extract against 7, 12 dimethylbenz (a) anthracene (DMBA) induced papillomagenesis in Swiss albino mice was studied. The methanolic extract of Gymnema sylvestre was analyzed for chemopreventive activity. Chemopreventive activity was evaluated by two stage protocol consisting of initiation with a single topical application of a carcinogen (7, 12 dimethylbenz (a) anthracene (DMBA) followed by a promoter (croton oil) two times in a week were employed. A significant reduction in tumor incidence, tumor burden and cumulative number of papillomas was observed, along with a significant increase in average latent period in mice treated tropically with Gymnema sylvestre extract as compared to the control group treated with DMBA and croton oil. The antioxidant and antibacterial effect of Gymnema extract was also observed .The above studies reveal information about the prevention of cancer. Therefore, the present study is immensely important in future drug development programs for the cancer treatment.