Chemoprotective action of Rasayanas against cyclosphamide toxicity.
OBJECTIVE
Mylosuppression has been found to be one of the major drawbacks in cancer chemotherapy. Presently the effect of Rasayanas, an indigenous herbal drug preparation having immunomodulatory activity, in reducing myelosuppression and subsequent leukopenia was studied.


METHODS
Animals were injected cyclophosphamide (50 mg/kg b.wt. daily for 14 days) with or without Rasayanas (50 mg/animal) and total white blood cells, bone marrow cellularity and survival of the animals were determined.


RESULTS
Oral administration of Brahma Rasayana (BR) and Ashwagandha/Rasayana (AR) was found to protect mice from cyclophosphamide induced leukopenia. Total white blood cell counts in BR and AR treated animals on day 12 were 3800 and 3000 cells (mm3 respectively, which was significantly high compared to that of controls (700 cells/mm3). When the treatment was stopped on day 14 the value increased to 27,000 and 26,000 cells/mm3. The bone marrow cellularity were also significantly high in BR and AR treated animals (3.45 x 10(6) and 2.38 x 16 cells femur respectively) compared to that of controls. (0.72 x 10(6) cells/femur).


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate the usefulness of Rasayanas in chemotherapy induced myelosuppression and leukopenia.
Amala Cancer Research Centre, Thrissur, Kerala, India.
V
V
Praveenkumar
R
R
Kuttan
G
G
Kuttan
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000187:drug effects*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000187:drug effects; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D051379:Mice; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use; D032341:Withania
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D010936:Plant Extracts; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; C030693:Ashwagandha