Recuperative effect of Semecarpus anacardium linn. nut milk extract on carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes in experimental mammary carcinoma-bearing rats

Water extract of Semecarpus parvifolia Thw. leaves inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis on HEp-2 cells

BACKGROUND

Semecarpus parvifolia Thw is used as an ingredient of poly herbal decoctions to treat cancer in traditional medicine. The present study aims to investigate the antiproliferative activity on HEp 2 cells by the water extract of S. parvifolia leaves and to evaluate potential mechanisms.

METHODS

The plant extract was exposed to S. parvifolia for 24 hours and antiproliferative activity was quantified by Sulforhodamine B (SRB), 3-(4, 5-dimethythiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays. Morphological changes were observed after staining cells with ethidium bromide/acridine orange (EB/AO) and Giemsa dye. Comet assay was performed to evaluate the DNA damage. The toxicity of the plant extract was determined by brine shrimp lethality assay.

RESULTS

S. parvifolia leaves reduced the cell proliferation in a dose and time dependent manner. A two fold increase in NO level was observed at higher concentrations. Morphological changes characteristic to apoptosis were observed in light microscopy, Giemsa and EB/AO stained cells. Fragmented DNA further confirmed its capacity to induce apoptosis. No lethality was observed with brine shrimps.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that Semecarpus parvifolia Thw induces apoptosis in HEp-2 cells through a NO dependent pathway.

Erythrocyte Protoporphyrin Fluorescence as a Biomarker to Monitor the Anticancer Effect of Semecarpus Anacardium in DMBA Induced Mammary Carcinoma Rat Model

Endogenous fluorescence has been proposed as a means of aiding the diagnosis of various malignancies. It has been suggested that erythrocytes may be the carriers of fluorophors that accumulate in cancer tissue and may be useful in the diagnosis and treatment of malignancies. Hence, the present study was designed to explore the spectrofluorimetric analysis of blood components as a marker for the analysis of mammary carcinoma treatment and also to bring about the protective effect of the drug Semecarpus anacardium on oxidative stress mediated damage of erythrocytes. Fluorescence spectra of the blood components were studied and also the level of lipid per oxides and antioxidant enzymes status in erythrocytes were determined in DMBA induced mammary carcinoma rats treated with Semecarpus anacardium Linn nut milk extract. Fluorescence emission spectroscopy of blood components are altered under cancer conditions and the drug effectively ameliorated these alterations in mammary carcinoma induced rats. The drug also effectively reduced the oxidative stress induced erythrocyte damage thereby restoring the erythrocytes antioxidant status. These results suggest that erythrocytes may be the carriers of fluorophors that accumulate in cancer tissue and hence acts as new biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment.

Antidiabetic and antioxidant effect of Semecarpus anacardium Linn. nut milk extract in a high-fat diet STZ-induced type 2 diabetic rat model

Semecarpus anacardium commonly known as marking nut has been used in the Siddha system of medicine against various ailments. The antidiabetic and antioxidant potential of the drug was evaluated in Type 2 diabetic rats induced by feeding a high-fat diet (HFD) for 2 weeks followed by single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) 35 mg/kg body weight. Three days after STZ induction, the hyperglycemic rats were treated with Semecarpus anacardium nut milk extract (SA) orally at a dosage of 200 mg/kg body weight daily for 30 days. Metformin (500 mg/kg body weight, orally) was used as a reference drug. The fasting blood glucose, insulin, Hb, HbA1c levels, and HOMA-IR and HOMA-β were measured, and also the levels of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes were observed. SA significantly (p < .05) reduced and normalized blood glucose levels and also decreased the levels of HbA1c as compared with that of HFD STZ control group. SA treatment also significantly (p < .05) increased the levels of antioxidant enzymes while decreasing the levels of lipid peroxidation. The potential antihyperglycemic action and antioxidant role might be due to the presence of flavonoids in the drug.

Semecarpus anacardium (Bhallataka) Alters the Glucose Metabolism and Energy Production in Diabetic Rats

Glucose produced by gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis plays an important role in aggravating hyperglycemia in diabetes, and altered mitochondrial function is associated with impaired energy production. The present study focuses on the effect of Semecarpus anacardium on carbohydrate metabolism and energy production in diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by the administration of Streptozotocin at a dose of 50 mg/kg.b.wt. Three days after the induction, Semecarpus anacardium at a dose of 300 mg/kg.b.wt was administered for 21 days. After the experimental duration, the activities of the enzymes involved in Glycolysis, TCA cycle, gluconeogenesis, and glycogen were assayed in the liver and kidney of the experimental animals. In addition, to the complexes the protein expression of AKT and PI3K were assayed. The levels of the enzymes involved in Glycolysis and TCA cycle increased, while that of gluconeogensis decreased. The activities of the mitochondrial complexes were also favorably modulated. The expressions of PI3K and AKT also increased in the skeletal muscle. These effects may be attributed to the hypoglycemic and the antioxidative activity of Semecarpus anacardium. The results of the study revealed that Semecarpus anacardium was able to restore the altered activities of the enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism and energy production.

Therapeutic effect of Semecarpus anacardium Linn. nut milk extract on carbohydrate metabolizing and mitochondrial TCA cycle and respiratory chain enzymes in mammary carcinoma rats

Semecarpus anacardium Linn. of the family Anacardiaceae has many applications in the Ayurvedic and Siddha systems of medicine. We have evaluated the effect of S. anacardium nut milk extract on carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes and mitochondrial tricarboxylic acid cycle and respiratory enzymes in liver and kidney mitochondria of dimethyl benzanthracene-induced mammary carcinoma in Sprague–Dawley rats. Mammary carcinoma-bearing rats showed a significant rise in glycolytic enzymes (hexokinase, phosphoglucoisomerase and aldolase) and a simultaneous fall in gluconeogenic enzymes (glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose 1,6-diphosphatase). The activities of mitochondrial enzymes isocitrate dehydrogenase, α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, NADH-dehydrogenase and cytochrome C oxidase were significantly lowered in mammary carcinoma-bearing rats when compared with control rats. S. anacardium nut extract administration to tumour-induced animals significantly lowered the glycolytic enzyme activities (hexokinase, phosphoglucoisomerase and aldolase) and there was a rise in gluconeogenic enzymes (glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose 1,6-diphosphatase), which indicated an antitumour and anticancer effect. Comparison of normal control rats and rats administered S. anacardium only as drug control animals showed no significant variations in enzyme activities. S. anacardium nut extract administration to dimethyl benzanthracene-tumour-induced animals significantly increased the activities of mitochondrial enzymes, thereby suggesting its role in mitochondrial energy production.

Identification of urushiols as the major active principle of the Siddha herbal medicine Semecarpus Lehyam: Anti-tumor agents for the treatment of breast cancer

Breast cancer (BCa) is the most commonly occurring cancer in women, comprising almost one third of all malignancies. Previously we reported that the n-hexane fraction (hSL) of the Siddha herbal medicine, Semecarpus Lehyam, relatively sensitized estrogen receptor-negative (ER(-)) BCa when compared to estrogen receptor-positive (ER(+)) BCa cells. In this study we used a bioassay-guided fractionation approach leading to a simplified fraction of hSL that effectively sensitized both ER(+) (MCF-7) and ER(-) (MDA-231) BCa cells. Further bioassay-guided isolation led to the purification of three potent anti-cancer components from hSL which significantly induced apoptosis in both the BCa cell lines. Their structures were identified through NMR and mass spectroscopic analysis as (7;Z,10;Z)-3-pentadeca-7,10-dienyl-benzene-1,2-diol (1), (8;Z)-3-pentadec-10-enyl-benzene-1,2-diol (2) and 3-pentadecyl-benzene-1,2-diol (3). Compounds (1) and (2) turned out to be more active than (3). The overall results of this study suggest that these major components of hSL may be solely responsible for the anti-tumor effect of SL.

Aberrant methylation of human L- and M-fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase genes in cancer

A possible epigenetic regulation of the two isoenzymes of fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase) was studied in liver, muscle, mamma, breast cancer and in different cancer cell lines. Results obtained after bisulfite sequencing revealed a different CpG methylation of both promoters in liver, muscle and breast tissue which is putatively involved in the cell-type specific gene expression of the two enzymes. In tumor cell lines, demethylation with 5-aza-deoxycytidine activated the expression of both isoenzymes. Additional inhibition of histone deacetylase with trichostatin A further increased FBPase mRNA concentrations. Since cancers typically have an abnormal energy metabolism and exhibit a low gluconeogenic phenotype, it was studied whether promoter methylation contributes to the decreased expression of FBPase in breast cancer. When non-malignant and malignant tissue samples from the same patient were compared a correlation between an increase of FBPase promoter methylation and a decrease of FBPase mRNA levels was observed.

Restoration of energy metabolism in leukemic mice treated by a siddha drug--Semecarpus anacardium Linn. nut milk extract

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a clonal disorder characterized by proliferation of hematopoietic cells that possess the BCR-ABL fusion gene resulting in the production of a 210 kDa chimeric tyrosine kinase protein. CML, when left untreated, progresses to a blast phase during which the disease turns aggressive and shows poor response to known treatment regimens. We have studied a Siddha herbal agent, Semecarpus anacardium Linn. nut milk extract (SA) for its antileukemic activity and its effect on the changes in energy metabolism in leukemic mice. Leukemia was induced in BALB/c mice by tail vein injection of BCR-ABL(+) 12B1 murine leukemia cell line. This resulted in an aggressive leukemia, similar to CML in blast crisis, myeloid subtype, confirmed by histopathological study and RT-PCR for the p210 mRNA in the peripheral blood, spleen and liver. Leukemia-bearing mice showed a significant increase in lipid peroxides, glycolytic enzymes, a decrease in gluconeogenic enzymes and significant decrease in the activities of TCA cycle and respiratory chain enzymes as compared to control animals. SA treatment was compared with standard drug imatinib mesylate. SA administration to leukemic animals resulted in clearance of the leukemic cells from the bone marrow and internal organs on histopathological examination and this was confirmed by RT-PCR for the p210 mRNA. Treatment with SA significantly reversed the changes seen in the levels of the lipid peroxides, the glycolytic enzymes, the gluconeogenic enzymes and the mitochondrial enzymes. These effects are probably due to the flavonoids, polyphenols and other compounds present in SA which result in total regression of leukemia and correction of the alterations in energy metabolism. Study of animals treated with SA alone did not reveal any adverse effects. On the basis of the observed results, SA can be considered as a readily accessible, promising and novel antileukemic chemotherapeutic agent.

Effect of Semecarpus anacardium Linn. nut extract on mammary and hepatic expression of xenobiotic enzymes in DMBA-induced mammary carcinoma

Breast cancer is the major cause of cancer death in women worldwide. Environmental risk factors particularly genotoxic chemicals such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are likely to account for a much higher mortality. Xenobiotic metabolising enzymes in breast tissue are potentially important determinants in both the susceptibility to the mutagenic effects of chemical carcinogens and in the response of breast tumors to chemotherapy. The well known carcinogen 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthrazene of PAH family was given (25mg/ml) orally by gastric intubation to induce mammary carcinoma in Sprague-Dawley rats. Increased level of cytochromes (P(450), B(5)), EROD, PROD activities, Phase I biotransformation enzymes (NADPH-cytochrome (P(450)) reductase, NADPH-cytochrome (b(5)) reductase, epoxide hydrolase) and expression of CYP1A1, CYP1A2 and CYP1B1 in liver and breast tissue microsome were documented in DMBA treated group. Phase II enzyme activities (glutathione-S-transferase, gluthatione peroxidase, gluatathione reductase, UDP-glucuronyl transferease) were decreased markedly in cancerous rats. The nut extract of Semecarpus anacardium was administered orally (200mg/kg body wt/day) to the mammary carcinoma rats for 14 days. Drug treatment restored back the altered Phase I and II biotransformation enzymes thus achieving complete detoxification of the carcinogen. These findings suggest that S. anacardium can effectively modulate the catabolism of xenobiotics in rats.

Alteration of DMBA-induced oxidative stress by additive action of a modified indigenous preparation--Kalpaamruthaa

The present study investigated the protective efficacy of the novel preparation named as Kalpaamruthaa (KA, includes Semecarpus anacardium Linn nut milk extract (SA), dried powder of Phyllanthus emblica fruit and honey) on the peroxidative damage and abnormal antioxidant levels in the hepatic mitochondrial fraction of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary carcinoma rats. Female Sprague-Dawley rats of weight 180+/-10 g were categorized into six groups. Three groups were administered DMBA (25 mg/rat dissolved in olive oil, orally) to induce mammary carcinoma. One of these groups received KA treatment (300 mg/kg b.wt., orally) and other group received SA (200 mg/kg b.wt., orally) for 14 days after 90 days of DMBA induction. Vehicle-treated control and drug control groups were also included. The hepatic mitochondrial fraction of untreated DMBA rats showed 2.96-fold increase in MDA content when compared to control rats and abnormal changes in the activities/levels of mitochondrial enzymic (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase) and non-enzymic (glutathione, vitamin C and vitamin E) antioxidants were observed. DMBA-treated rats also showed decline in the activities of mitochondrial enzymes such as succinate dehydrogenase, alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase and isocitrate dehydrogenase. In contrast, rats treated with SA and KA showed normal lipid peroxidation antioxidant defenses and mitochondrial enzymes, thereby showing the protection rendered by SA and KA. Although, KA treatment exhibited more profound effect in inhibiting DMBA-induced oxidative stress than sole SA treatment. Results of the study indicate that the anticarcinogenic activity of KA during DMBA-initiated mammary carcinogenesis is mediated through alteration of hepatic antioxidant status as well as modulation of TCA cycle enzymes. On the basis of the observed results, KA can be considered as a readily accessible, promising and novel cancer chemopreventive agent.

The biochemical alterations following administration of Kalpaamruthaa and Semecarpus anacardium in mammary carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women of developed and developing countries. Lipids, lipoproteins and lipid-metabolizing enzymes have been associated with the risk of breast cancer. Kalpaamruthaa (KA) is a modified Siddha preparation, which contains Semecarpus anacardium Linn. (SA), Emblica officinalis (EO) and honey.

OBJECTIVE

The present study was embarked to study the variations in lipids, lipid-metabolizing enzymes and lipoproteins in cancerous animals and the effect of KA on the lipid metabolism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Breast cancer was induced in rats by administrating 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene orally (25 mg/kg body weight). After 90 days of induction, KA (300 mg/kg body weight) and SA (200 mg/kg body weight) were administered for 14 days, by gastric intubations. The levels of lipids and lipid-metabolizing enzymes were analysed in control and experimental animals.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

The increased levels of total cholesterol, free cholesterol, phospholipids, triglycerides and free fatty acids and decreased levels of ester cholesterol in plasma, liver and kidney found in cancer suffering animals were reverted back to near normal levels on treatment with KA and SA. In mammary carcinoma bearing animals, the activities of total lipase, cholesterol ester synthase, and cholesterol ester hydrolase were significantly (p < 0.05) increased whereas lipoprotein lipase and lecithin cholesterol-acyl transferase were decreased. The levels of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were increased and the level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) was decreased. These alterations were recouped back upon treatment with KA as well as SA when compared to cancer animals. The effects of KA were found to be more effective than SA. No significant alterations were observed in herbal preparation control animals when compared to control animals.

Gene expression in rats with Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma induced by gastroduodenoesophageal reflux

AIM: To study the different gene expression profiles in rats with Barrett’s esophagus (BE) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EA) induced by gastro-duodeno-esophageal reflux.

METHODS: Esophagoduodenostomy was performed in 8-wk old Sprague-Dawley rats to induce gastro-duodeno-esophageal reflux, and a group of rats that received sham operation served as control. Esophageal epithelial pathological tissues were dissected and frozen in liquid nitrogen immediately. The expression profiles of 4 096 genes in EA and BE tissues were compared to normal esophagus epithelium in normal control (NC) by cDNA microarray.

RESULTS: Four hundred and forty-eight genes in BE were more than three times different from those in NC, including 312 upregulated and 136 downregulated genes. Three hundred and seventy-seven genes in EA were more than three times different from those in NC, including 255 upregulated and 142 downregulated genes. Compared to BE, there were 122 upregulated and 156 downregulated genes in EA. In the present study, the interested genes were those involved in carcinogenesis. Among them, the upregulated genes included cathepsin C, aminopeptidase M, arachidonic acid epoxygenase, tryptophan-2,3-dioxygenase, ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme, cyclic GMP-stimulated phosphodiesterase, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, betaine-homocysteine methyltra-nsferase, lysozyme, complement 4b binding protein, complement 9 protein, insulin-like growth factor binding protein, UDP-glucuronosyltransferase, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3, aldolase B, retinoid X receptor gamma, carboxylesterase and testicular cell adhesion molecule 1. The downregulated genes included glutathione synthetase, lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase, p55CDC, heart fatty acid binding protein, cell adhesion regulator and endothelial cell selectin ligand.

CONCLUSION: Esophageal epithelium exposed excessively to harmful ingredients of duodenal and gastric reflux may develop into BE and even EA gradually. The gene expression level is different between EA and BE, and may be related to the occurrence and progression of EA.

Gene expression in rats with Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma induced by gastroduodenoesophageal reflux

AIM

To study the different gene expression profiles in rats with Barrett's esophagus (BE) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EA) induced by gastro-duodeno-esophageal reflux.

METHODS

Esophagoduodenostomy was performed in 8-wk old Sprague-Dawley rats to induce gastro-duodeno-esophageal reflux, and a group of rats that received sham operation served as control. Esophageal epithelial pathological tissues were dissected and frozen in liquid nitrogen immediately. The expression profiles of 4096 genes in EA and BE tissues were compared to normal esophagus epithelium in normal control (NC) by cDNA microarray.

RESULTS

Four hundred and forty-eight genes in BE were more than three times different from those in NC, including 312 upregulated and 136 downregulated genes. Three hundred and seventy-seven genes in EA were more than three times different from those in NC, including 255 upregulated and 142 downregulated genes. Compared to BE, there were 122 upregulated and 156 downregulated genes in EA. In the present study, the interested genes were those involved in carcinogenesis. Among them, the upregulated genes included cathepsin C, aminopeptidase M, arachidonic acid epoxygenase, tryptophan-2,3-dioxygenase, ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme, cyclic GMP-stimulated phosphodiesterase, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase, lysozyme, complement 4b binding protein, complement 9 protein, insulin-like growth factor binding protein, UDP-glucuronosyltransferase, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3, aldolase B, retinoid X receptor gamma, carboxylesterase and testicular cell adhesion molecule 1. The downregulated genes included glutathione synthetase, lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase, p55CDC, heart fatty acid binding protein, cell adhesion regulator and endothelial cell selectin ligand.

CONCLUSION

Esophageal epithelium exposed excessively to harmful ingredients of duodenal and gastric reflux may develop into BE and even EA gradually. The gene expression level is different between EA and BE, and may be related to the occurrence and progression of EA.

Gene expression in Barrett’s esophagus and reflux esophagitis induced by gastroduodenoesophageal reflux in rats

AIM: To investigate the difference of gene expression profiles between Barrett’s esophagus and reflux eso-phagitis induced by gastroduodenoesophageal reflux in rats.

METHODS: Eight-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were treated esophagoduodenostomy to produce gastroduode-noesophageal reflux, and another group received sham operation as control. Esophageal epithelial tissues were dissected and frozen in liquid nitrogen immediately for pathology 40 wk after surgery. The expression profiles of 4096 genes in reflux esophagitis and Barrett’s esophagus tissues were compared with normal esophageal epithelium by cDNA microarray.

RESULTS: Four hundred and forty-eight genes in Barrett’s esophagus were more than three times different from those in normal esophageal epithelium, including 312 up-regulated and 136 down-regulated genes. Two hundred and thirty-two genes in RE were more than three times different from those in normal esophageal epithelium, 90 up-regulated and 142 down-regulated genes. Compared to reflux esophagitis, there were 214 up-regulated and 142 down-regulated genes in Barrett’s esophagus.

CONCLUSION: Esophageal epithelium exposed excessively to harmful ingredients of duodenal and gastric reflux can develop esophagitis and Barrett’s esophagus gradually. The gene expression level is different between reflux esophagitis and Barrett’s esophagus and the differentially expressed genes might be related to the occurrence and development of Barrett’s esophagus and the promotion or progression in adenocarcinoma.

ApcMin/+ mouse model of colon cancer: gene expression profiling in tumors

The Apc(Min/+) mouse is a popular animal model for studies of human colon cancer, but the molecular changes associated with neoplasia in this system have only been partially characterized. Our aim was to identify novel genes involved in tumorigenesis in this model. RNA from intestinal adenomas and from pre-neoplastic small intestine were prepared from six Apc(Min/+) mice. The tumor transcriptomes were analyzed with high-density oligonucleotide microarrays representing approximately 12,000 probe sets; we compared their profiles with those of matched pre-neoplastic intestine. Stringent analysis revealed reproducible changes for 98 probe sets representing 90 genes, including novel observations regarding 50 genes whose involvement in this mouse model has never been reported. In addition to the expected changes in growth regulatory genes, the altered gene products could be assigned to four functional groupings that should enhance tumorigenesis: metabolic changes that would result in a high rate of glycolysis, alterations in enzymes involved in reactive oxygen species or carcinogen metabolism, cytoskeletal elements, and proteins involved in tumor invasion or angiogenesis. A fifth group consisted of expression changes that might restrict tumor progression, suggesting that the adenomatous state reflects a balance of pro- and anti-tumorigenic factors. Since many of the altered genes had not previously been reported to be involved in any tumorigenic processes, our observations provide a host of new candidates for potential modulation to prevent or treat intestinal neoplasia.

Investigation on Semecarpus Lehyam--a Siddha medicine for breast cancer

The use of complementary and alternative medicines for breast cancer patients has been increasing every year. Traditional Indian systems of medicine, such as Siddha, have been reported to benefit patients in India through herbal interventions for cancer. One such herbal medicine is Semecarpus Lehyam (SL), and this study aims at providing a scientific basis for the anti-tumor property of SL with respect to breast cancer. SL was subjected to serial extraction with four organic solvents of increasing polarity (n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and water). The solvents from all fractions were removed, dried and dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide for testing their anti-tumor activity against two breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 [estrogen receptor (ER)-positive] and MDA 231 (ER-negative) using cell viability and apoptosis assays. The most potent SL fractions were also combined with radiation and doxorubicin to determine the radio- and chemo-sensitizing effects of SL on these breast cancer cell lines. In terms of cytotoxicity as well as induction of apoptosis, the n-hexane and chloroform fractions of SL were more significantly active against MDA 231 cells than MCF-7 cells. The n-butanol fraction of SL showed some activity against MCF-7 cells. When combined with radiation or doxorubicin, the n-hexane and chloroform fractions enhanced the radio-sensitivity (11.8-fold) and chemo-sensitivity (6.5-fold) of MDA 231 cells. This study demonstrated SL to be a potent anti-tumor agent against the ER-negative breast cancer cell line. The study is also the first step in the scientific validation of SL for use against breast cancer, particularly the ER-negative type.

Rasagenthi lehyam (RL) a novel complementary and alternative medicine for prostate cancer

PURPOSE

The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in cancer has been increasing. The therapeutic modalities which originated from India, viz., Ayurveda and Siddha, have phytotherapy as their fundamental basis and, therefore, produce few side effects. They are among the most ancient medicinal systems and are still being practiced in India and elsewhere, to cure cancer and other diseases. Many Siddha practitioners in the southern parts of India prescribe rasagenthi lehyam (RL) as a drug for cancer. RL contains 38 different botanicals, many of which have been shown to possess therapeutic efficacy, and 8 inorganic compounds, all prepared into a paste in a palm sugar and hen's egg base. The efficacy of RL in killing prostate cancer cells in vitro was investigated in this study to determine whether RL could be recommended as a CAM for prostate cancer.

METHODS

In order to scientifically validate the anticancer activity of RL on prostate cancer, a methanolic extract of RL was serially extracted with four organic solvents, and the extracts were tested for clonogenic inhibition and induction of apoptosis in PC-3 prostate cancer cells, with and without irradiation. n-Hexane, ethyl acetate and chloroform extracts of RL effectively killed PC-3 cells.

RESULTS

The IC(50) values of n-hexane, ethyl acetate and chloroform extracts of RL were 3.84 microg/ml, 3.68 microg/ml and 75 ng/ml, respectively. All three extracts induced apoptosis in PC-3 cells. Further, all the three extracts when combined with radiation, caused enhanced effect on killing of PC-3 cells. Among the three extracts, the chloroform extract showed the most significant radiation-sensitizing effect.

CONCLUSION

RL, either in its original formulation prepared under strict quality control or its chloroform extract, could potentially be an alternative medicine for prostate cancer, and also a sensitizing agent in the context of radiation therapy for prostate cancer, as a complementary medicine. A more directed study could lead to the identification of the active principle(s) in the chloroform extract of RL for use in prostate cancer therapy.