Anti-tumor and immunomodulating activities of proteoglycans from mycelium of Phellinus nigricans and culture medium

Two proteoglycans, PNW1 and PNM1, were isolated from the mycelium of Phellinus nigricans through submerged fermentation and culture medium, respectively. PNW1 and PNM1 with similar average molecular weight (33 kDa and 29 kDa) were composed of glucose, galactose, mannose, arabinose and fucose in the molar ratios of 3.26:8.77:6.44:1:1.35 and 20.06:8.72:6.94:1:0.76. At the dose of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, PNW1 and PNM1 exhibited anti-tumor activity against mice-transplanted Sarcoma 180 in vivo. However, no direct cytotoxic activity against Sarcoma 180 could be determined. Significant increase in the relative spleen and thymus weight and expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in serum was observed, decreasing the tumor weight significantly. PNW1 and PNM1 could stimulate lymphocytes proliferation and increase production of nitric oxide (NO) and TNF-alpha in macrophages. The results indicate that both lymphocyte and macrophages were activated by preparations of proteoglycans from mycelium and culture medium of P. nigricans. The anti-tumor effect of the proteoglycans is not directly tumoricidal but rather immunostimulating.     

Preclinical efficacy of Virulizin in human breast,ovarian and prostate tumor models

Virulizin is a novel biological response modifier (BRM) approved for the treatment of melanoma and is currently in a phase III clinical trial against advanced pancreatic cancer. The purpose of this study was to define the anti-cancer activity of Virulizin against a number of solid human tumors. The therapeutic effect of Virulizin was evaluated in mouse xenograft models, and the results demonstrate that Virulizin has high efficacy against breast, ovarian and prostate tumor xenografts. Seventy-seven percent inhibition, with an optimal T/C value of 24.8%, was observed in human beast MDA-MB-231 xenografts treated with Virulizin as compared to saline-treated controls (p=0.0004). In human ovarian SK-OV-3 tumor xenografts, administration of Virulizin inhibited tumor growth by 77.6% compared to saline controls (p=0.0439). Furthermore, high anti-tumor activity was also demonstrated in DU145 and PC-3 prostate tumor xenografts, as indicated by 72.6 and 49.1% suppression of tumor growth (versus saline controls, p=0.0007 or p=0.0049), respectively. Direct comparisons with the anti-tumor activities of conventional drugs demonstrated that Virulizin has higher or equal efficacy against all four tumors tested. Finally, addition of Virulizin into co-cultures of tumor cells and macrophages stimulated the cytolytic activity of the macrophages against the tumor cells in a dose-dependent manner. This result suggests that stimulation of immune cells is at least part of the anti-tumor mechanism of action of Virulizin. These results clearly demonstrate that Virulizin inhibits the growth of human breast, ovarian and prostate tumors, indicating great potential for expansion of the clinical indications for this novel BRM.     

1,2∶5,6-二去水卫矛醇与美登新联合用药的实验研究

去水卫矛醇(DAG)和美登新(MAY)同时或间隔24小时给药(无论先后顺序如何),对EAC小鼠的生命延长和杀瘤细胞均有协同作用;不同先后顺序给药对L1210得到同样结果,但同时给药则无协同作用。给DAG后24小时再给MAY,对接种21天的B16黑色素瘤瘤重抑制率超过了“相加作用”,但不能延长生命。联合用药对HepA及S180无协同疗效。联合使用DAG及MAY,对正常小鼠骨髓干细胞的杀灭低千“相加作用”。本实验表明,DAG及MAY间隔24小时给药较同时给药为佳。     

Effect of vesnarinone in combination with anti-cancer drugs on lung cancer cell lines

Vesnarinone, a quinolinone derivative which is used as an oral inotropic agent in the clinic, has recently also been shown to have anti-cancer activity. We have studied the anti-cancer effect of vesnarinone in combination with cisplatin, VP-16 (etoposide) and gemcitabine, against human lung cancer cell lines (PC-9 and Lu 134A) using the MTT assay and isobologram analysis. Simultaneously, by establishing two cisplatin-resistant sublines, i.e. PC-9/CDDP and Lu 134A/CDDP, we analyzed the cross-resistance between vesnarinone and cisplatin and the resistance-reversing effect of vesnarinone. Nuclear fragmentation, as the presumed mechanism of tumor cell growth inhibition, was further studied quantitatively using flow cytometric analysis. Combination of vesnarinone with the studied anti-cancer drugs had a synergic or additive inhibitory effect on both PC-9 and Lu 134A tumor cell growth. Neither decrease of the sensitivity to vesnarinone nor cross-resistance between vesnarinone and anti-cancer drugs was observed. On the contrary, vesnarinone showed a resistance-reversing effect. Both vesnarinone and the studied anti-cancer drugs could induce tumor cell apoptosis, but a definite correlation between nuclear fragmentation and the growth inhibitory effect was not established.     

女贞子多糖抗肿瘤作用研究

目的探讨女贞子多糖(LLP)的抗肿瘤作用及机制。方法观察LLP对小鼠肉瘤(S180)、小鼠肝癌(H22)的抑制作用;采用MTT法观察LLP对人肝癌细胞(SMMC-7721)增殖的影响;ConA刺激T-淋巴细胞法研究LLP的免疫刺激作用。结果LLP对S180、H22实体瘤均有抑制作用(P<0.05);对SMMC-7721肿瘤细胞无直接杀伤作用,可提高Co-nA对T淋巴细胞刺激的转换率,提高由淋巴细胞YAC-1所致NK细胞的活性。结论LLP具有抗实体肿瘤的作用,LLP抗实体瘤的作用与其提高机体免疫,改善机体免疫能力而抑制肿瘤细胞生长有关。     

溶瘤病毒联合其他药物用于肿瘤治疗的研究进展

溶瘤病毒作为一种抗肿瘤生物制剂,在肿瘤治疗中选择性地感染裂解肿瘤细胞,增加肿瘤抗原暴露,重塑肿瘤微环境,增加肿瘤微环境中免疫细胞浸润,激活免疫系统,发挥抗肿瘤作用.由于溶瘤病毒单药治疗效果不佳,而溶瘤病毒与其他抗癌药物联用的多个临床研究均表现出良好的抗肿瘤效果,联合用药有望释放溶瘤病毒疗法抗肿瘤方面的巨大潜能.本文从溶...     

Nerve Growth Factor from Cobra Venom Inhibits the Growth of Ehrlich Tumor in Mice

The effects of nerve growth factor (NGF) from cobra venom (cvNGF) on growth of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells inoculated subcutaneously in mice have been studied. The carcinoma growth slows down, but does not stop, during a course of cvNGF injections and restores after the course has been discontinued. The maximal anti-tumor effect has been observed at a dose of 8 nmoles cvNGF/kg body weight. cvNGF does not impact on lifespan of mice with grafted EAC cells. K252a, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, attenuates the anti-tumor effect of cvNGF indicating the involvement of TrkA receptors in the process. cvNGF has induced also increase in body weight of the experimental animals. In overall, cvNGF shows the anti-tumor and weight-increasing effects which are opposite to those described for mammalian NGF (mNGF). However in experiments on breast cancer cell line MCF-7 cvNGF showed the same proliferative effects as mNGF and had no cytotoxic action on tumor cells in vitro. These data suggest that cvNGF slows down EAC growth via an indirect mechanism in which TrkA receptors are involved.     

Protective effect of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) aqueous extract against genetic damage induced by anti-tumor agents in mice

The genotoxic potential of anti-tumor drugs limits their efficacy in the treatment of cancers. Since ancient times, saffron (dried stigmas of Crocus sativus L.) has been used as a spice and medicinal herb. Saffron is a rich source of carotenoids and is known for its anti-cancer and anti-tumor properties. The present study was designed to ascertain the chemoprotective potential of saffron against the genotoxicity of three well-known anti-tumor drugs-cisplatin (CIS), cyclophosphamide (CPH) and mitomycin-C (MMC)--using comet assay. Three doses of saffron (20, 40 and 80 mg/kg b.w.) were orally administered to mice for five consecutive days prior to the administration of anti-tumor drugs under investigation. Pre-treatment with saffron significantly inhibited anti-tumor drugs induced cellular DNA damage (strand breaks) as revealed by decreased comet tail length, tail moment and percent DNA in the tail. These findings, together with our previous results, suggest a potential role for saffron as an anti-genotoxic, anti-oxidant and chemopreventive agent and could be used as an adjuvant in chemotherapeutic applications.     

Bio-distribution and anti-tumor efficacy of PEG/PLA nano particles loaded doxorubicin

As a more effective in vivo drug delivery system, several methods loading anti-cancer drugs to biodegradable and biocompatible nano-particles have been explored and developed. Supposedly due to the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, systemic administration of these nano-particles have been found to result in accumulation of nano-particles into solid tumors. In this study, we prepared nano-particles using polyethylene glycol (PEG)/poly-L-lactide (PLLA) diblock copolymer and loaded doxorubicin into these nano-particles (Nano-dox). The fabricated nano-particles exhibited sustained release kinetics of the drug in vitro. To follow the in vivo biodistribution of 200-350 nm sized nano-dox particles in tumor (syngenic renal cell adenocarcinoma: RENCA) bearing mouse, the carboxylfluorescenin diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE) was loaded into the nano-particles. Nano-dox accumulated preferentially in tumors; however, in terms of its anti-tumor efficacy, it did not show any marked benefits, compared to freely-administered doxorubicin. This result suggests the need to re-consider and evaluate what type of anti-cancer reagents we to be used in the ongoing efforts of coupling drug delivery system with tumor EPR effects.     

Activity of [1,2-di(cyclopentadienyl)-1,2-di(p-N,N-dimethylaminophenyl)-ethanediyl] titanium dichloride against tumor colony-forming units

[1,2-di(cyclopentadienyl)-1,2-di(p-N,N-dimethylaminophenyl)-ethanediyl] titanium dichloride is a newly synthesized transition metal-based anti-cancer drug. We studied the anti-tumor activity of this drug (final concentrations: 25, 250 and 2,500 micromol/l) against freshly explanted human tumors, using an in vitro soft agar cloning system. A total of eight tumor samples were evaluated using 1-h exposures. Additionally, the breast carcinoma cell line MCF-7 was examined with regard to sensitivity. The tested compound was markedly active against one renal cancer sample, whereas other renal tumors were resistant. Concentration-dependent anti-tumor activity was demonstrated for all samples except for melanoma. At concentrations of 250 micromol/l or less, the compound was less active than cisplatin or equally active at 0.2 microg/ml, whereas at 2,500 micromol/l it showed a significant cytotoxic activity against a wide spectrum of tumor types. The highest activity was observed against renal carcinomas (three of three tumor specimens inhibited at 2,500 micromol/l). Sensitivity was also highly remarkable in the breast cancer cell line MCF-7 inhibited in a range of 25-2,500 micromol/l, whereas melanoma cells seemed to be profoundly resistant. Further clinical development of this drug appears warranted because of the broad cytotoxic activity shown.     

Effect of anhydrosophoradiol-3-acetate of Calotropis gigantea (Linn.) flower as antitumoric agent against Ehrlich's ascites carcinoma in mice

BackgroundOver 60% of currently used anti-cancer agents are derived in one-way or another from natural sources, including plants, marine organisms and microorganisms. Calotropis gigantea (Linn.) (Family: Asclepiadaceae) is a perennial shrub and it is used as a traditional folk medicine for the treatment of various health complications. But there is no report on isolation of anticancerous chemicals from the flower of Calotropis gigantea. The objective of the present study is to explore the antitumor effect of anhydrosophoradiol-3-acetate (A3A), isolated from the flower of Calotropis gigantea (Linn.) against Ehrlich's ascites carcinoma (EAC) in Swiss albino mice.MethodsAntitumoric effect of A3A was assessed by evaluating viable tumor cell count, survival time, body weight gain due to tumor burden, hematological and biochemical (glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, blood urea, SALP, SGPT and SGOT) parameters of EAC bearing host at doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg body weight.ResultsTreatment with A3 A decreased the viable tumor cells and body weight gain thereby increasing the life span of EAC bearing mice. A3A also brought back the altered hematological (Hb, total RBC and total WBC) and biochemical parameters more or less to normal level.ConclusionResults of this study conclude that in vivo the A3A was effective in inhibiting the growth of EAC with improving in cancer induced complications.     

半夏多糖抗肿瘤作用研究

目的探讨半夏多糖抗肿瘤作用及机制。方法观察半夏多糖对小鼠肉瘤(S180),小鼠肝癌(H22),小鼠艾氏腹水瘤(EAC)的抑瘤作用;分别采用核染色(Hoechst染色)、MTT法、细胞计数法、DNA琼脂糖凝胶电泳图谱观察半夏多糖对人神经母瘤细胞(SH-SY5Y)、鼠肾上腺嗜铬细胞(PC12)细胞凋亡及对PC12细胞生长和增殖的影响。结果半夏多糖对S180、H22、EAC有抑制作用(P<0.05);半夏多糖可诱导SH-SY5Y、PC12细胞凋亡、对PC12有抑制生长及增殖作用(P<0.01)。结论半夏多糖具有抗肿瘤作用,其机制与抑制PC12生长及增殖,诱导SH-SY5Y、PC12细胞凋亡有关。     

Caffeic acid-conjugated chitosan derivatives and their anti-tumor activity

In this study, we synthesized caffeic acid (CFA)-conjugated chitosan (ChitoCFA) as an anti-cancer compound. CFA was conjugated to the amine groups of chitosan (ChitoCFA) and its chemical composition was confirmed using ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectra, which indicates that specific peaks of CFA was observed at ChitoCFA conjugates. The anti-cancer effects of CFA and ChitoCFA were studied using CT26 colorectal carcinoma cells. In this cytotoxicity study, CFA and ChitoCFA revealed a dose-dependent decrease of cell viability while chitosan had lower cytotoxicity against tumor cells. CFA and ChitoCFA also proved an anti-proliferative effect against tumor cells. In comparison with CFA, ChitoCFA may accelerate an apoptosis of tumor cells. Furthermore, ChitoCFA demonstrated good anti-invasive efficacy at Matrigel^® invasion assay against tumor cells. We suggest that ChitoCFA is a promising candidate as an anti-cancer compound.     

Bio-distribution and anti-tumor efficacy of PEG/PLA nano particles loaded doxorubicin

As a more effective in vivo drug delivery system, several methods loading anti-cancer drugs to biodegeradable and biocompatible nano-particles have been explored and developed. Supposedly due to the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, systemic administration of these nano-particles have been found to result in accumulation of nano-particles into solid tumors. In this study, we prepared nano-particles using polyethylene glycol (PEG)/poly-l-lactide (PLLA) diblock copolymer and loaded doxorubicin into these nano-particles (Nano-dox). The fabricated nano-particles exhibited sustained release kinetics of the drug in vitro. To follow the in vivo biodistribution of 200–350 nm sized nano-dox particles in tumor (syngenic renal cell adenocarcinoma: RENCA) bearing mouse, the carboxylfluorescenin diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE) was loaded into the nano-particles. Nano-dox accumulated preferentially in tumors; however, in terms of its anti-tumor efficacy, it did not show any marked benefits, compared to freely-administered doxorubicin. This result suggests the need to re-consider and evalute what type of anti-cancer reagents we to be used in the ongoing efforts of coupling drug delivery system with tumor EPR effects.     

应用动物活体生物发光技术观察紫杉醇混合胶束的抑瘤效果

活体动物成像技术是近年来发展成熟并得到认可的一种新型影像检测技术,其突出优越性是可以对活体病灶的形态大小进行在体无损伤直观准确检测[1]。活体动物成像技术的基本原理是透过体表,接     

双氢青蒿素抗肿瘤作用机制的研究进展

双氢青蒿素(dihydroartemisinin,DHA)是我国自主研发的青蒿素衍生物类抗疟药,它除了具有良好的抗疟作用外,近几年研究发现其在体内外还具有较强的抗肿瘤作用。现代研究发现,DHA可以作用于线粒体依赖性细胞凋亡通路、抑制NF-κB活化,从而促进肿瘤细胞凋亡;并且能阻滞细胞周期;由Fe2+介导直接杀伤肿瘤细胞;通过作用于纤维蛋白溶解系统uPA、抑制VEGF诱导的血管生成作用来抑制肿瘤的侵袭和转移。本文对DHA抗肿瘤作用及其机制方面的研究作一综述,以期对青蒿素类药物抗癌作用研究热点提供有价值的参考。     

抗癌胶囊对实验性肿瘤的治疗及对化疗减毒作用研究

目的：研究抗癌胶囊对小鼠移植肿瘤S180，H22，Lewis的抑瘤作用及对化疗药所致小鼠免疫功能抑制的保护作用。方法：按照抗癌药物筛选规程进行体内抑瘤实验：采用氟尿嘧啶（FU）制备免疫功能低下模型，测定抗癌胶囊对小鼠白细胞计数、免疫器官重量、腹腔巨噬细胞吞噬功能和NK细胞的影响。结果：抗癌胶囊对小鼠移植肿瘤S180，H22，Lewis均有不同的抑瘤作用，其中高剂量组抑瘤效果最佳，并对小鼠体重生长无明显影响。抗癌胶囊还有明显拮抗FU所致白细胞下降，胸腺、脾脏萎缩，腹腔巨噬细胞功能降低和NK细胞减少等毒副作用。结论：抗癌胶囊具有明显的抗肿瘤作用。     

A Kampo medicine "Juzen-taiho-to"--prevention of malignant progression and metastasis of tumor cells and the mechanism of action

Juzen-taiho-to is a Kampo (Japanese and Chinese traditional) medicine, and is a nourishing agent, a so-called "Hozai" (in Japanese), that is used for improving disturbances and imbalances in the homeostatic condition of the body. This drug is administered to patients in various weakened conditions, including post-surgery patients and patients with chronic illnesses, where it can alleviate general symptoms such as extreme fatigue, pale complexion, loss of appetite, dry or scaly skin, night sweating, and dryness of the mouth. Currently, Juzen-taiho-to is often administered to cancer patients, and has been shown to possess various biological activities, such as enhancement of phagocytosis, cytokine induction, antibody production, induction of the mitogenic activity of spleen cells, anti-tumor effects when combined with surgical excision, anti-tumor effects with or without other drugs, and protection against the deleterious effects of anti-cancer drugs as well as radiation-induced immunosuppression and bone marrow toxicity. This article focuses on the antitumor and antimetastatic properties of Kampo formulations and describes the effect of Juzen-taiho-to and related formulations on tumor development, progression and metastasis in vivo. We also discuss the mechanism of the inhibitory action and the importance of the formulation and the constituent drugs in determining the efficacy.     

Enhancement of radiation effect by Aphanamixis polystachya in mice transplanted with Ehrlich ascites carcinoma

The effect of radiation on tumor tissue can be optimized by adding radiosensitizing agents, in order to achieve a greater degree of tumor damage than expected from the use of either treatment alone. The ethanolic extract of Aphanamixis polystachya (APE) was tested in Swiss albino mice transplanted with Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) and exposed to various doses of gamma-radiation. EAC mice received 0, 10, 25, 50, 75, 100, 150 or 200 mg/kg body wt APE before exposure to 6 Gy gamma-radiation followed by once daily administration for another 8 consecutive days post-irradiation. The optimum radiosensitizing dose was found to be 50 mg/kg APE that was further tested in EAC mice exposed to 0, 1, 2, 4, 6 or 8 Gy hemi body gamma-radiation. The best effect of APE and radiation was observed for 6 Gy gamma-radiation. The splitting of 50 mg into two equal fractions of 25 mg and administering the split dose with a gap of 8 h on 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9 d of tumor inoculation resulted in an increased survival even when the drug was administered at late stages (day 5) of tumor development. The APE treatment before irradiation elevated lipid peroxidation followed by a reduction in the glutathione contents. Treatment of tumor bearing mice with APE before irradiation further reduced the activities of various antioxidant enzymes like glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-s-transferase, superoxide dismutase and catalase at different post last drug administration (PLDA) times.