Abstract
The genotoxic, cytotoxic and antitumor properties of Commiphora molmol (oleo gum resin) were studied in normal and Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cell-bearing mice. In normal mice, the genotoxic and cytotoxic activity was evaluated on the bases of the frequency of micronuclei and the ratio of polychromatic to normochromatic cells in bone marrow, which was substantiated by the biochemical changes in hepatic cells. The antitumor activity of C. molmol was evaluated from the total count and viability of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells and their nucleic acid, protein, malondialdehyde, and elemental concentrations in addition to observations on survival and the trend of changes in body weight. The tumors at the site of injection were evaluated for histopathological changes. Treatment with C. molmol (125-500 mg/kg) showed no clastogenicity but was found to be highly cytotoxic in normal mice. The results obtained in the Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cell-bearing mice revealed the cytotoxic and antitumor activity of C. molmol which was found to be equivalent to those of the standard cytotoxic drug cyclophosphamide. On the basis of the nonmutagenic, antioxidative, and cytotoxic potential of C. molmol as observed in the present study, its use in cancer therapy seems to be appropriate and further investigations are suggested.