title: Antitumor activity and tumor necrosis factor production of Phytolacca acinosa polysaccharides I in mice.
abstract: The antitumor activities of Phytolacca acinosa polysaccharides I (PAP-I) and its effects on the induction of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and immunological cytotoxicity of peritoneal macrophages were studied. PAP-I was given ip 5-20 mg.kg-1.d-1 x 7 d to ICR mice as priming agent with subsequent lipopolysaccharides (10 micrograms/mouse) iv for TNF production. TNF activity was measured by crystal violet staining assay using L929 cells. PAP-I showed priming activity for TNF production with hepto-splenic hyperplasia in a dose-dependent manner. The peritoneal macrophages treated with PAP-I 10 and 20 mg.kg-1 showed 67 and 74%, respectively, cytotoxicity (the control 34% cytotoxicity) against Meth A cells at effector:target = 40:1. PAP-I 10 and 20 mg.kg-1 prolonged the survival time of mice bearing ascites Meth A tumor from 21 +/- 4 to 32 +/- 10 and 38 +/- 8 d and inhibited the solid Meth A tumor growth with inhibition rate of 28.5 and 55.7%, respectively. These results suggested that the antitumor activities of PAP-I were based on the activation of macrophages and induction of TNF.
authors.affiliation: Research Laboratory of Natural and Synthetic Drugs, College of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Qian
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D017737:Macrophages, Peritoneal / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012513:Sarcoma, Experimental / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D011134:Polysaccharides; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha