Hemidesmus indicus has been shown to possess significant activity against immunotoxicity and other pharmacological and physiological disorders. In this communication, we have shown the modulating effect of H. indicus on
cumene hydroperoxide-mediated cutaneous oxidative stress and
tumor promotion response in murine skin.
Cumene hydroperoxide treatment (30 mg per animal) increased cutaneous microsomal lipid peroxidation and induction of
xanthine oxidase activity which are accompanied by decrease in the activities of cutaneous
antioxidant enzymes and depletion in the level of
glutathione. Parallel to these changes a sharp decrease in the activities of phase II metabolizing
enzymes was observed.
Cumene hydroperoxide treatment also induced the
ornithine decarboxylase activity and enhanced the [3H]-
thymidine uptake in
DNA synthesis in murine skin. Application of ethanolic extract of H. indicus at a dose level of 1.5 and 3.0mg/kg
body weight in
acetone prior to that of
cumene hydroperoxide treatment resulted in significant inhibition of
cumene hydroperoxide-induced cutaneous oxidative stress, epidermal
ornithine decarboxylase activity and enhanced
DNA synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. Enhanced susceptibility of cutaneous microsomal membrane for lipid peroxidation and
xanthine oxidase activity were significantly reduced (P<0.01). In addition the depleted level of
glutathione, inhibited activities of
antioxidants and phase II metabolizing
enzymes were recovered to significant level (P<0.05). In summary, our data suggest that H. indicus is an effective chemopreventive agent in skin and capable of ameliorating
hydroperoxide-induced cutaneous oxidative stress and
tumor promotion.