DOI: 10.4103/ajio.ajio_31_26 ISSN: 3050-6506
Evaluation of anti-cancer activity of different Kshara (Caustics) in gastrointestinal cancer cell lines: An experimental analysis
Rajneesh V. Giri, U. Vishwanatha, Sahana Kamath Abstract
Background:
Gastrointestinal tract cancers, irrespective of whether they are oral, esophageal, gastric, pancreatic, or colorectal, collectively represent a significant percentage of all cancers occurring globally, account for around one-quarter of oncologic diagnoses, and almost one-third of cancer-related deaths. Effectiveness of conventional therapies is often negated due to the associated toxicities, lack of personalized care, and limited efficacy in the terminal stage of the disease.
Objective:
The objective of the study was to evaluate the role of
Moolaka Kshara, Tankana Bhasma (Kshara),
and
Gomutra Arka
in the management of cancers of gastrointestinal tract through cell line studies.
Materials and Methods:
The normal human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cell line was used to screen the cytotoxicity of
Moolaka Kshara, Tankana Bhasma (Kshara),
and
Gomutra Arka
by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol -2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay with few modifications. The anticancer activity of these drugs was screened using KB 3-1, AGS (gastric adenocarcinoma), PANC 1 (pancreatic carcinoma), and COLO 320 DM cell lines by MTT assay with few modifications.
Results:
The present study demonstrated that
Moolaka Kshara, Tankana Bhasma (Kshara),
and
Gomutra Arka
exert differential, dose-dependent cytotoxic effects across a panel of human cancer cell lines, with response patterns that varied both by formulation and by cell type. Among the three preparations,
Gomutra Arka (Kshara)
displayed the most consistent and complete dose-dependent cytotoxicity, achieving near-total loss of viability in AGS, KB 3-1, and PANC-1 cells at low relative concentrations, suggesting it may warrant prioritization for further mechanistic investigation
.
Conclusion:
Moolaka kshara, Tankana Bhasma (Kshara),
and
Gomutra Arka
have shown significant cytotoxic effects across a panel of human cancer cell lines, with
Gomutra Arka
displaying the most consistent and complete dose-dependent cytotoxicity, which is comparable to the cytotoxic activity of cisplatin.