Studies on the Toxicity and Anticancer Properties of Stem-Bark Extract of Prosopis africana Plant

This study investigated the anticancer and hepatoprotective potential of Prosopis africana stem bark frac-tions in 7,12-dimethylbenz[α]anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary cancer in female albino Wistar rats.The stem bark was extracted using ethanol, and fractions (F1, F2, F3) were obtained via column chromatog-raphy. Acute toxicity testing revealed dose-dependent mortality at an LD50 of 5000 mg/kg, indicating lowtoxicity. DMBA induction significantly elevated cancer antigen 125 (CA125) levels (48.52 IU/L vs. normalcontrol: 14.48 IU/L), confirming tumor development. Treatment with Prosopis africana fractions, particularlyF1 at 500 mg/kg, markedly reduced CA125 levels (32.49 IU/L, 33% decrease), demonstrating potent anti-cancer activity. Additionally, DMBA-induced liver damage, evidenced by elevated alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels, was significantly mitigated by F1 (ALT: 30.66 IU/L;AST: 38.32 IU/L), suggesting hepatoprotective effects. Fraction F1 exhibited superior efficacy compared toF2 and F3. These findings highlight Prosopis africana’s therapeutic potential as a natural anticancer andhepatoprotective agent, supporting its use in traditional medicine.