Studies on the nutritional value and anti-tumour property of the bark of Spondias mombin L.

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the anti-tumour property of the bark of Spondias mombin, commonly used traditionally for the treatment of certain malignancies. Forty wister rats of about seven weeks old were randomly sampled and grouped into three. Group A, the main control, was fed with 50g marsh only over a definite period, while the test control received 50g marsh and 5g Cycas revoluta, a carcinogenic plant. Three subgroups from the B group were fed with carcinogen-containing diet and S. mombin simultaneously at different concentrations. Group C rats had their diet changed to marsh and S. mombin at different concentrations for each subgroup after initial exposure to carcinogen-containing diet. Group B rats fed with carcinogenic feed alongside treatment with Spondias mombin bark for induced cancer showed some recovery, as the treatment suppressed some effects of the carcinogen. By contrast, group C rats, which were similarly induced with cancer and later treated at 50% level showed significant improvement compared to the test control. Most of the symptoms observed in the later such as hair loss, reduced agility, low food intake and hyperplastic nodules were reduced. Ultrasound findings showed significant tachycardia in group B rats with increased dosage of the treatment plant while the test control rats showed relative bradycardia, indicating that tachycardia is a possible side effect of the treatment plant. Histopathology of the tissues showed significant pathological differences especially in the liver, small intestine and kidney (p < 0.05) as observed in SGOT, SGPT ALP, cholesterol and bilirubin levels. Proximate analysis carried out on S. mombin bark showed a high concentration of crude fibre and calcium ion, which have been identified to have anti-tumour properties. The results obtained suggest a role for S. mombin in the treatment of certain malignancies.



Key Words: Nutritional value, anti-tumour, Spondias mombin

(Jnl Med. & Biomed Res.: 1(2) 2002: 46-60)