Effect of Bauhinia Variegate Bark Extract on DMBA-Induced Mouse Skin Carcinogenesis: A Preliminary Study

Bauhinia variegata Linn. (Kanchnar/Rakta kanchan), is a widely used medicinal plant by the tribals throughout India and popular in various indigenous system of medicine like Ayurveda, Unani and Homoeopathy. In the present investigations, the anticarcinogenic activity of Bauhinia variegate bark extract was evaluated using two stage protocol in skin papillioma model in Swiss albino mice. The significant prevention of papillomas in DMBA + B. variegate bark extract (500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight) + croton oil treated group was found to be effective in decreasing the rate of tumor incidence in comparison to the control. Furthermore, cumulative number of papillomas, tumor yield and tumor burden were also found to be reduced. The depleted levels of glutathione were restored in Bauhinia variegate bark extract treated groups. The study has revealed the chemopreventive role of B. variegate bark extracts against DMBA-induced skin carcinogenesis in mice.