Effect of berbamine on blood and bone-marrow stem cells of cyclophosphamide-treated mice.
The bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid berbamine has been used in China and Japan for the therapy of leukopaenic complications of cancer. Mice treated with non-toxic doses showed significant enhancement of neutrophil and lymphocyte counts in the circulation, but a decrease in the numbers of bone marrow stem cells in a dose-dependent manner after two weeks. Similar findings were observed in cyclophosphamide-treated mice. These results indicate that berbamine acts by stimulating the maturation and release of leukocyte progenitors, and may have value in leukopaenic patients.
Li
S Y
SY
Department of Child Health, University of Queensland, Mater Childrens Hospital, South Brisbane, Australia.
Jei
W
W
Seow
W K
WK
Thong
Y H
YH
D000470:Alkaloids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D044182:Benzylisoquinolines; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000187:drug effects; D002452:Cell Count / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects*
D000470:Alkaloids; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D044182:Benzylisoquinolines; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; C027870:berbamine