Screening of host-mediated antitumor polysaccharides by crossed immunoelectrophoresis using fresh human serum

On crossed immunoelectrophoresis, human serum C3 (the third component of complement) converted by antitumor polysaccharides (ATSO [antitumor polysaccharide oral], AB-P [Agaricaus blazei polysaccharide], GU-P [Grifora umbellata polysaccharide], PS-K [polysaccharide Kureha] and zymosan) moved faster than native C3, appearing as the 3rd peak. The ratio of height of the 3rd peak to the alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2-M) peak was linearly proportional to the dose of ATSO. At the dose of 500 micrograms/ml antitumor polysaccharides, the ratios were higher than 0.76, and the ratios for the serum treated with polysaccharide of no antitumor activity (dextran and gum arabic) were less than about 0.52. This ratio readily determined in vivo can be used as a measure for the antitumor activity of polysaccharides.     

Studies on metabolism and disposition of sizofiran (SPG), an anti-tumor polysaccharide. II. Effects on hepatic drug-metabolizing enzyme system in rats

The effect of a single or multiple administration of sizofiran (SPG), an anti-tumor polysaccharide, on a hepatic drug-metabolizing enzyme system was studied in rats. When SPG was given intravenously at a single dose of 0.5 or 10 mg/kg, no alteration was observed in activities of aminopyrine (AP) N-demethylase and aniline hydroxylase, and in cytochrome P-450 (P-450) content in the livers of rats 48 h after dosing. However, only AP demethylase activity decreased by 34% after the administration of 200 mg/kg. Similarly, no change in the hepatic enzyme activities and P-450 content was observed for up to 180 d after a single dose of 10 mg/kg. Subcutaneous treatment of animals with either 10 or 40 mg/kg dose for 3 and 6 months resulted in no alteration in the enzyme activities and P-450 content. These results may indicate that the therapeutically effective dose of SPG has no effect on a hepatic drug-metabolizing enzyme system in rats.     

Interaction of doxapram and pentobarbital in mice

We found a statistically significant increase in duration of pentobarbital-induced narcosis in doxapram-treated mice. The influence of doxapram (a respiratory stimulant) pretreatment on pentobarbital metabolism in mice was assessed by measurements of sleeping times, hypothermia, LD50 values, hepatic microsomal metabolism and relative plasma and brain levels of pentobarbital. When doxapram was given intraperitoneally 60 min. prior to administration of pentobarbital, doxapram potentiated pentobarbital-induced narcosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner, but had no effect on onset time. Doxapram potentiated hypothermia, increased acute toxicity, and prolonged the pentobarbital half-life in brain and plasma, but measurement of the concentration of pentobarbital in the brain and plasma immediately upon recovery from narcosis showed that there were no differences in any of the groups examined. Also, brain-to-plasma ratios of pentobarbital did not differ between the control and doxapram-treated groups. Doxapram competitively inhibited the hepatic metabolism of pentobarbital in 9000 x g supernatant incubation mixtures. The results obtained from these experiments indicate that inhibition of drug-metabolizing enzymes by doxapram may account for its enhancement of the duration of pentobarbital-induced narcosis.     

Characterization and antitumor activity of pollen polysaccharide

The polysaccharide LBPP was extracted and isolated from the pollen of brassica napus L., and the antitumor activity was evaluated on Sarcoma 180-bearing mice and B16 melanoma-bearing mice through transplantable animal tumor. Mice were treated with three doses of the polysaccharide LBPP (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight) for 10 days. Tumor weight, relative spleen and thymus weight, lymphocyte proliferation, natural killer cell activity, delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH), phagocytic function of monocyte, serum hemolysis antibody and peripheral blood of tumor-bearing mice were studied. At the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg, a significant decrease (P<0.01) in tumor formation, a significant increase (P<0.05) in relative spleen and thymus weight, natural killer cell activity, phagocytic function of monocyte, lymphocyte proliferation, and serum hemolysis antibody, and a significant improvement of peripheral blood abnormality (P<0.05) and anemia (P<0.01) were observed. Results of these studies demonstrated that the polysaccharide LBPP had anti-tumor activity, which was mediated by immunomodulation and leukogenic and antianemic actions.     

Characterization and immunomodulating activities of polysaccharide from Lentinus edodes

The polysaccharide L-II was isolated and purified from the fruiting body of Lentinus edodes, which consisted of d-glucopyranose and had the molecular weight of 2.03 x 10(5) Da. We evaluated the effects of the polysaccharide L-II on the cellular immune response of Sarcoma 180-bearing mice. Mice were treated with three doses of the polysaccharide L-II (1, 5, and 10 mg/kg body weight) for 10 days. Tumor weight, relative spleen and thymus weight, delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response, phagocytosis of macrophage, splenocytes proliferation were studied. Concentration of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) in mice serum were measured in control and polysaccharide groups. At the dose of 1, 5 and 10 mg/kg, a significant increase (p<0.05) in relative spleen and thymus weight, DTH, phagocytosis of macrophage was observed, as well as a significant decrease in tumor formation. The concentration of TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma in serum increased significantly in the polysaccharide groups compared with the model control group, but IL-2 not. Moreover, the polysaccharide L-II could increase NO production and catalase activity in macrophages. Results of these studies demonstrated the antitumor activity of the polysaccharide L-II on mice-transplanted sarcoma 180 was mediated by immunomodulation in inducing T-cells and macrophage-dependent immune system responses.     

Characterization and anti-tumor activity of pollen polysaccharide

The polysaccharide LBPP was extracted and isolated from the pollen of Brassica napus L., and the anti-tumor activity was evaluated on Sarcoma 180-bearing mice and B16 melanoma-bearing mice through transplantable animal tumor. Mice were treated with three doses of the polysaccharide LBPP (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight) for 10 days. Tumor weight, relative spleen and thymus weight, lymphocyte proliferation, natural killer cell activity, delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH), phagocytic function of monocyte, serum hemolysis antibody and peripheral blood of tumor-bearing mice were studied. At the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg, a significant decrease (P<0.01) in tumor formation, a significant increase (P<0.05) in relative spleen and thymus weight, natural killer cell activity, phagocytic function of monocyte, lymphocyte proliferation, and serum hemolysis antibody, and a significant improvement of peripheral blood abnormality (P<0.05) and anemia (P<0.01) were observed. Results of these studies demonstrated that the polysaccharide LBPP had anti-tumor activity, which was mediated by immunomodulation and leukogenic and antianemic actions.     

Enhancement of antitumor effects of paclitaxel (taxol) in combination with red ginseng acidic polysaccharide (RGAP)

We have recently reported that red ginseng acidic polysaccharide (RGAP), isolated from Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer), shows immunomodulatory and antitumor activities, mainly mediated by the nitric oxide (NO) production of macrophages. This compound may be used in cancer therapy alone or in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents. The synergistic effect of RGAP and paclitaxel (taxol) was evaluated to develop new biological response modifiers in cancer therapy. The present study demonstrates a synergistic antitumor effect of RGAP and paclitaxel in mice transplanted with sarcoma 180 and B16 melanoma. Combined treatment with paclitaxel (5 or 15 mg/kg) and RGAP (25 mg/kg) resulted in a 28.6 or 42.8 % increase in the life span of ICR mice bearing sarcoma 180 tumor cells, while no obvious effect was seen on sole paclitaxel treatment. When a combination of paclitaxel (10 mg/kg) and RGAP (100 mg/kg) was administered to C57BL/6 mice implanted with B16 melanoma, the tumor weight per mouse also decreased by 76.3 %, suggesting that RGAP may be used as an adjuvant in medicinal applications of paclitaxel. The augmented antitumor effect of paclitaxel is supposed to be the result of the immunomodulating antitumor effect of RGAP. RGAP, having B cell specific mitogenic activity, induced the secretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in spleen cells in a concentration-dependent manner (5 to 500 microg/microL). RGAP also restored the proliferation of splenocytes and NK cell activity suppressed by paclitaxel. Flow cytometric analysis of splenocytes in mice treated with paclitaxel showed a significant increase of CD11b+ cells. Additionally, a synergistic effect of RGAP and paclitaxel was found to effect an increased tumoricidal activity of macrophages. The above results suggest that clinical trials of RGAP as an adjuvant in cancer chemotherapy of paclitaxel are highly feasible.     

Potential bioreductive alkylating agents. 5. Antineoplastic activity of quinoline-5,8-diones, naphthazarins, and naphthoquinones.

A number of 2-chloromethyl and 2-bromomethyl derivatives of naphthoquinones, quinolinediones, and naphthazarins were designed and synthesized as potential bioreductive alkylating agents, and the antitumor activity of these compounds was assessed in mice bearing Sarcoma 180 ascites cells. The results indicated that, with the exception of 3-benzamido-2-chloromethyl-1,4-naphthoquinone, which was inactive, all newly synthesized naphthoquinones possessed strong antitumor activity against this neoplasm. 6,7-Bis(bromomethyl)quinoline-5,8-dione had moderate inhibitory activity against Sarcoma 180 at its optimal daily dosage level of 15 mg/kg. 3-Bromo-2-bromomethyl- and 3-bromo-2-chloromethylnaphthazarin produced a moderate extension of the life span of tumor-bearing mice; whereas, in contrast, 6,7-dimethyl analogs of these agents were inactive when employed in daily doses up to 40 mg/kg body weight.     

Effect of 5'-nucleotidase inhibitors on mouse immune system and experimental murine tumors

Nucleoticidin and melanocidins A and B exhibited potent inhibitory activity against 5'-nucleotidases from rat liver membrane and snake venom. Nucleoticidin retarded growth of Sarcoma 180 solid tumor, and melanocidins A and B prolonged the survival period of mice bearing B16 melanoma. These inhibitors enhanced phagocytic activity, interleukin-1 production and superoxide-generating activity of murine peritoneal macrophages. The tumor necrosis factor was also induced by the inhibitors. These results suggested that 5'-nucleotidase inhibitors inhibit tumor growth by modification of the immune system.     

Comparative studies on antitumor activity of Klebsiella O3 lipopolysaccharide and its polysaccharide fraction in mice

The antitumor activity of the polysaccharide fraction (OPS) obtained by the acid hydrolysis of Klebsiella O3 lipopolysaccharide (KO3 LPS) isolated from the culture supernatant of the decapsulated mutant strain LEN-1 (03: K1-) against both allogeneic tumor and syngeneic tumor systems in mice was compared with that of KO3 LPS. OPS prolonged the life span of MM2-bearing C3H/He mice by intraperitoneal (i.p.) pre- and post-treatment at the doses of 100 and 1000 mg/kg. However, large amounts of OPS were needed to show the antitumor activity as compared with KO3 LPS. OPS showed no growth inhibitory activity against Meth-A sarcoma in BALB/c mice by i.p., intravenous (i.v.) or intratumoral (i.t.) administration. When 1000 mg/kg of OPS was i.p. administered once a day for 10 days, OPS significantly inhibited the tumor growth of Sarcoma-180 solid type tumor. On the other hand, KO3 LPS significantly suppressed the growth of Meth-A tumor by i.t. administration at the doses of 0.3 and 1.0 mg/kg and showed complete regression in 8 and 9 out of 10 mice, respectively. In MM2 tumor, KO3 LPS also showed complete regression in all mice post-treated by i.p. administration at the dose of 1.0 mg/kg. These results suggest that OPS has antitumor activity on the tumors used in this study, but the activity was less than that of KO3 LPS.     

The effects of buthionine sulphoximine (BSO) on glutathione depletion and xenobiotic biotransformation

Buthionine sulphoximine (BSO) is an inhibitor of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (gamma-GCS) and, consequently lowers tissue glutathione (GSH) concentrations. In fed male C3H mice, liver and kidney GSH levels were depleted by BSO in a dose dependent manner with maximum effect (35% of initial levels) occurring with doses between 0.8 and 1.6 g/kg, i.p. At these doses maximum effects on gamma-GCS and GSH were observed 2-4 hr after BSO administration; initial gamma-GCS activity and GSH content were restored approximately 16 hr post BSO. BSO, either in vivo or in vitro, had no effect on hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 levels, a range of cytochrome P-450 dependent enzyme activities or p-nitrophenol glucuronyl transferase activity. Similarly, BSO had no effect on phenol sulphotransferase and two GSH-transferase activities in the 105,000 g supernatant fraction. BSO had no effect on the duration of hexobarbitone induced narcosis in mice. Consistent with specific inhibition of GSH synthesis, BSO pretreatment of mice decreased the proportion of a 50 mg/kg dose of paracetamol excreted in the urine as GSH-derived conjugates but did not affect paracetamol clearance through the glucuronidation or sulphation pathways. Since BSO does not affect cytochrome P-450 or conjugating enzyme activity, its use as a specific depletor of tissue GSH in the investigation of mechanisms of xenobiotic-induced toxicities is preferable to the standard GSH-depleting agents as these have other enzymic effects.     

聚酯型儿茶素的抗肿瘤及免疫调节作用

目的：研究聚酯型儿茶素（ＴＳ）对小鼠移植瘤的抑制作用及对荷瘤小鼠免疫功能的影响。方法：应用小鼠艾氏腹水癌实体型、小鼠Ｓ１８０肉瘤和肝癌Ｈ２２３种模型进行了ＴＳ的抗肿瘤作用研究;应用小鼠迟发型超敏反应模型、小鼠碳粒廓清试验及脾淋巴细胞增殖试验研究了 ＴＳ对荷Ｓ１８０小鼠免疫功能的影响。结果：４００、２００、５０ｍｇ／ｋｇ ＴＳ对小鼠艾氏腹水癌实体型瘤生长有明显抑制作用;常规灌胃给药对小鼠Ｓ１８０和肝癌Ｈ２２的生长无明显抑制作用,但预防给药则对小鼠Ｓ１８０和肝癌Ｈ２２的生长有明显抑制作用,各组抑瘤率均大于 ３０％。５０、１００、２００ｍｇ／ｋｇ ＴＳ可使荷瘤小鼠降低的迟发性超敏反应恢复正常;亦可使荷瘤小鼠碳粒廓清指数 Ｋ和吞噬指数α值显著提高;还可明显增强荷瘤小鼠脾Ｔ淋巴细胞增殖反应。结论：ＴＳ对小鼠移植瘤有明显抑制作用,同时可增强荷瘤小鼠降低的免疫功能。     

Isolation of isoguanosine fromCroton tiglium and its antitumor activity

This paper describes the isolation of isoguanosine from Croton tiglium L. and its cytotoxic effect against several tumor cell lines in culture and newly reports that isoguanosine has an antitumor activity against implanted S-180 ascitic tumor mice. Isoguanosine is effective at the dose of 24 mg/kg/day x 5, with T/C value of 168%. Isoguanosine inhibits the growth of S-180 and Ehrlich solid tumor in mice at the optimal doses of 96 mg/kg/day x 12 and 48 mg/kg/day x 12, with 1-T/C values of 65% and 60%, respectively.     

Inhibition of drug-metabolizing enzymes in the mouse after treatment with host-mediating antitumor drugs

The effect of host-mediating antitumor drugs on drug-metabolizing enzymes and cytochrome P-450 of the mouse liver was studied. Treatment of mice with a streptococcal preparation (OK-432), Bacillus Calmette-Guérin cell wall skeleton (BCG-CWS), or protein-bound polysaccharide (PSK) depressed aniline hydroxylase and aminopyrine N-demethylase activities in a dose-responding fashion. Cytochrome P-450 content of the hepatic microsomes was also decreased by the treatment. Time of sleeping induced by pentobarbital was prolonged by the drug treatment.     

Characterization and immunostimulatory activity of an (1-->6)-a-D-glucan from the root of Ipomoea batatas

The polysaccharide PSPP (purified sweet potato polysaccharide), isolated and purified from the roots of Ipomoea batatas, was found to be a glucan with a molecular weight of 53.2 kDa and specific rotation of +115.0 degrees (ca. 0.80, H(2)O). On the basis of methylation analysis, periodate oxidation, Smith degradation, infra-red spectroscopy, and (13)C NMR, the polysaccharide was confirmed as a (1-->6)-alpha-D-glucan. We evaluated the effects of polysaccharide PSPP on the in vivo immune function of mouse. Mice were treated with the polysaccharide PSPP (50, 150, and 250 mg/kg body weight) for 7 days. Phagocytic function, proliferation of lymphocytes, natural killer cell activity, hemolytic activity, and serum IgG concentration of the mice were studied. At the dose of 50 mg/kg, significant increments in proliferation of lymphocytes (P<0.05) and serum IgG concentration (P<0.05) were observed. At the dose of 150 and 250 mg/kg, significant increments (P<0.01 or P<0.05) were observed in all tested immunological indexes. A dose-dependent manner was demonstrated in phagocytic function, hemolytic activity, and serum IgG concentration, but not in proliferation of lymphocytes and natural killer cell activity. This suggests that PSPP improve the immune system and could be regarded as a biological response modifier.     

Immunological studies on sporamycin-treated animals

Sporamycin showed a remarkable tumor regressive activity against sarcoma-180 with a single 5 mg/kg dose of intravenous administration. This antitumor effect on tumor and host animals was examined immunologically. As the results: (1) When sarcoma-180 tumor cells were used as an antigen macrophage migration inhibition reaction by spleen cells derived from the tumor-bearing mice treated with sporamycin was positive at day 7 approximately 14 after the medication and was negative thereafter. (2) The delayed hypersensitivity tested by the foot-pad reaction was positive in tumor-bearing mice treated with sporamycin, and no decrease of foot pad reaction was observed, whereas this reaction decreased remarkably in non-treated tumor-bearing mice. (3) Sarcoma-180 tumor cells were mixed with spleen cells derived from sporamycin-treated mice, and were inoculated into normal dd mice. The growth of tumor cells was inhibited markedly, but no inhibition of tumor growth was observed in case of spleen cells derived from non-treated tumor bearing mice. (4) Combined treatment of sporamycin with PS-K, an immunopotentiator, showed a remarkable synergistic effect.     

Drug interaction on antitumor drugs I. Antitumor activity of cyclophosphamide in mice consecutively administered aminopyrine, chlorpromazine, or morphine (author's transl)

Antitumor activity and lethality of cyclophosphamide alone and in combination with several drugs were investigated in male ddY mice. The antitumor activity was estimated by weighing the solid tumor on the 15th day after Ehrlich ascites cell inoculation. Pentobarbital induced sleeping time for monitoring the activity of hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes was defined as the time between the loss and the recovery of the righting reflex. Consecutive administration of pentobarbital shortened the pentobarbital sleeping time and increased the antitumor activity after cyclophosphamide. On the contrary, a single administration of SKF 525A or cycloheximide prolonged the pentobarbital sleeping time significantly and decreased the antitumor activity after cyclophosphamide. Consecutive administration of aminopyrine, or chlorpromazine shortened the pentobarbital sleeping time and increased the antitumor activity after cyclophosphamide. These results indicate that aminopyrine and chlorpromazine may increase the levels of the hepatic drug-metabolizing components and may activate cyclophosphamide by conversion to an active form. Effect of a consecutive administration of morphine on the pentobarbital sleeping time and the antitumor activity was uncertain in individual cases.On the other hand, aminopyrine, chlorpromazine, or morphine in consecutive administration increased the lethality of cyclophosphamide.     

Biological evaluation of Korean medicinal plants(III)

The extracts of sixty Korean plants were evaluated for their biological activities such as antitumor activities against Sarcoma 180, Leukemia SN-36 and Ehrlich ascites carcinoma, antimicrobial activities and behavioral observation in mice. The results are tabulated.     

Adipose tissue content as a modifier of the tissue distribution, biological effects, and excretion of a hexachlorobiphenyl in C57BL/6J and DBA/JBOMf mice

C57BL/6J (C57) and DBA/JBOMf (DBA) mice were used to study the role of adipose tissue as a modifier of tissue distribution, biological effects, and elimination of a lipophilic foreign chemical, 2,4,5,2',4',5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (HCB). As an indication of biological potency of the model compound, the activities of hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes were determined. DBA mice contained twice as much body fat as C57 mice. Since the highly lipophilic HCB was primarily sequestered by the adipose tissue, DBA mice required greater doses of HCB than did C57 mice to reach similar tissue levels of the chemical. Accordingly, greater HCB doses were required by DBA mice for elevation of drug-metabolizing enzyme activities. Phenobarbital elevated enzyme activities in a similar way in both mouse strains. When the dietary intake of DBA mice was restricted, the body fat content decreased from 15% to 5% of body weight during 1 week. In these animals the tissue accumulation of HCB and enzyme induction resembled the situation in C57 mice fed ad libitum. Highest elevations were seen in the activities of 7-ethoxycoumarin-O-deethylase and arylhydrocarbon hydroxylase (EC 1.14.14.2). In addition, the activity of epoxide hydrolase (EC 3.3.2.3) was increased, whereas glutathione S-transferase as well as UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.17) activities remained unchanged. The abundant adipose tissue content played no role in the nonresponsiveness of DBA mice to 3-methylcholanthrene since, in contrast to C57 mice, no changes in enzyme activities were detected in DBA mice deprived of food, even after large doses of 3-methylcholanthrene. The adipose tissue content also affected the rate of elimination of HCB. DBA mice excreted smaller quantities of HCB than did C57 mice after equal doses. When, however, fasted DBA mice received HCB, they excreted it at rates similar to those of C57 mice fed ad libitum. In C57 mice, concomitant to the elevation of monooxygenase activities, there was an increase in the rate of excretion of HCB. No such elevation could be seen after a dose that was too small to elevate enzyme activities.     

Species and sex differences in the inhibitory action of the corticosteroid alclometasone dipropionate on the hepatic drug-metabolizing system

The effect of successive administration of the corticosteroid alclometasone dipropionate (ACM) on the hepatic drug-metabolizing system was examined using male and female rats. Although some pharmacological changes such as increases in plasma enzyme activity, lipid level and protein concentration appeared similarly in ACM-treated male and female rats, the activities of 7-alkoxycoumarin O-dealkylase, especially the O-depropylation activity, decreased dose-dependently by ACM administration only in male rats. ACM did not affect the hepatic drug-metabolizing activity in female rats and mice of both sexes. Also, ACM did not inhibit androgen-independent aniline hydroxylase activity even in male rats. The time course of changes of the drug-metabolizing system in male rats showed a rapid decrease in cytochrome P-450 content and O-depropylation activity following successive treatments with ACM, but there was a slow onset in the decreases of the O-demethylation and O-deethylation activities of 7-alkoxycoumarin. When ACM was withdrawn, the O-demethylation and O-deethylation activities rapidly returned to their control levels, while recovery of the O-depropylation activity was slow. These results suggested that ACM inhibits the hepatic drug-metabolizing enzyme activity associated with a specific form(s) of androgen-dependent cytochrome P-450 in male rats.