The purpose of the present work was to evaluate anticarcinogenic and cytotoxic potential of Hemidesmus indicus methanolic root extract (HiRe) against Ehrlich Ascites Tumor. The extract showed a significant in vitro cytotoxic activity against Ehrlich Ascites Tumor (EAT) cell line. IC50 value for EAT cell line was 274.83μg.The anticarcinogenic activity of the extract was determined by using EAT cell line induced ascites tumor model in mice and its comparison with standard anticancer drug cyclophosphamide. The treatment with methanolic root extract of Hemidesmus indicus (50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg body weight) significantly increased the body weight of ascites tumor model. The life span of treated animal was increased up to 67.78%.The results were more significant in mice treated with 100 mg/kg body weight. This study revealed that Hemidesmus indicus may have a great potential to be exploited for the search of anticancer drugs.
