Studies on the Cytotoxic, Biochemical and Anti-Carcinogenic Potentials of Ninhydrin on Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma Cell-Bearing Swiss Albino Mice

Ninhydrin (2,2-dihydroxy-1, 3-indane dione)was evaluated for its antitumor and cytotoxicproperties in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cell (EACCell)-bearing mice. The rationale behind this studyhas been mainly the literature reports of itscharacteristic interference with DNA synthesis andcalcium homeostasis. Antitumor activity was evaluatedfrom the total count and viability of EAC cells inaddition to their nucleic acid, protein, non-proteinsulfhydryls (NP-SH) and malondialdehyde (MDA)contents. The EAC cell-bearing animals were alsoobserved for the effect on their survival and bodyweight variations. In addition, the tumors grown atthe site of injection were evaluated forhistopathological changes. Ninhydrin treatments (5, 10and 20 mg/kg/day) abate the increase in body weightand advanced the duration of survival in EACcell-bearing mice. The results on histopathologicalinvestigations show retardation in tumor growth,decreased frequency of mitotic figures and hairfollicles and an increased necrosis in the tumor byninhydrin treatment. Our results on cytotoxicity,which demonstrated compression in the number of EACcells and their viability substantiate these data. Theresults of biochemical studies on EAC cells exhibit areduction in the levels of DNA, RNA, proteins andNP-SH with a subsequent increase in the concentrationsof MDA after ninhydrin treatment. Inhibition in tumorgrowth was dose dependently significant with the samedose regimen. The observed cytotoxic and antitumoractivity of ninhydrin was comparable tocyclophosphamide. The possible mode of action ofninhydrin-induced cytotoxic and antitumor activityappear to be due to its interference withmitochondrial function resulting in inhibition of DNAsynthesis, an effect that is being investigatedfurther.