Cytotoxic, Antitumor and Toxicological Profile of Leaf Extract.

or passion fruit is a native flowering plant from Amazon, geographically spread from Peru to Brazil. The plant has long been used in folks medicine for its pharmacological properties and is included in the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia since 1929. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential cytotoxic and antitumor activities of leaf extract (PLE) in S180-tumor bearing mice. The percentage of cell proliferation inhibition (% CPI) and IC in relation to 4 tumor cell lines were determined in PC3, K-562, HepG2 and S180 cell lines using the MTT assay. PLE showed a CPI > 75% and greater potency (IC < 30 µg/mL) against PC3 and S180 cell lines. LE showed antitumor activity in treatments intraperitoneally (36.75% and 44.99% at doses of 100 and 150 mg/kg/day, respectively). Toxicological changes were shown in the reduced body mass associated with reduced food consumption, increased spleen mass associated with histopathological increase in the white pulp of the spleen and increased number of total leukocytes with changes in the percentage relationship between lymphocytes and neutrophils. Our outcomes corroborate the conclusion that LE has antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo with low toxicity.