Efeito antitumoral do extrato aquoso obtido do quiabo (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) moench) no modelo murino de carcinoma de ehrlich ascítico

Abstract

The interest in natural products in medicine, especially in the development of anticancer therapies, has intensified due to the diversity of effective molecules. Bioactive compounds extracted from plants have great therapeutic potential and may have fewer adverse effects compared to conventional treatments. This study investigated the antitumor effect of the aqueous extract obtained from the fruit of Abelmoschus esculentus, commonly known as okra, using the murine model of Ehrlich ascitic carcinoma, evaluating parameters such as weight gain, abdominal circumference, macroscopic image analysis, tumor volume, quantification of reactive oxygen species (ROS), angiogenesis, survival time, and possible systemic effects (CEUA 20/2019). The results demonstrated that treatment with the aqueous okra extract, at doses of 25 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg, significantly attenuated tumor growth, as evidenced by the reduction in ascitic volume, abdominal circumference, and weight gain associated with the tumor. Photographic and X-ray images confirmed the reduction in tumor volume, with a decrease in the area occupied by ascites. A macroscopic analysis of the images indicated that animals treated with the extract had less abdominal distension compared to the control tumor group, reflecting the reduction of ascites, a tumor growth marker in this experimental model. Cell counting in the ascitic fluid showed a reduction in tumor cells without affecting leukocyte counts, highlighting the extract ’ s specific cytotoxic effect on cancer cells. Additionally, treatment with the extract increased ROS levels by approximately 27%, suggesting modulation of oxidative stress in the tumor microenvironment, which may contribute to apoptosis-induced cell death, an important anticancer mechanism. Angiogenesis analysis revealed a significant reduction in the abdominal vascular area of treated animals, indicating that the extract may inhibit the formation of new blood vessels through the reduction of VEGF (46% and 62% for 25 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg of aqueous extract, respectively) in the tumor microenvironment, which is necessary for tumor growth. The survival of animals treated with the extract increased significantly, with a life expectancy increase of up to 34.21% and 55.26% at doses of 25 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg, respectively. Furthermore, no macroscopic or microstructural alterations were observed in the evaluated organs of treated animals, suggesting the absence of systemic toxicity and the preservation of major lymphoid organs under the conditions of this study. These results highlight the therapeutic potential of the aqueous extract from the Abelmoschus esculentus fruit as an anticancer agent, demonstrating its efficacy in reducing tumor growth, inducing cell death, preventing angiogenesis, and increasing survival with a low risk of adverse effects. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the observed effects and to deepen the understanding of the antitumor action of the extract.