Suppressive effect of cyclophosphamide-induced toxicity by Withania somnifera extract in mice.
Administration of Withania somnifera extract (Solanaceae) was found to significantly reduce leucopenia induced by cyclophosphamide (CTX) treatment. The total WBC count on the 12th day of the CTX-treated group was 3720 cells/mm3 and that of CTX along with Withania was 6120 cells/mm3. Treatment of Withania along with CTX was found to significantly (P < 0.001) increase the bone marrow cellularity (13.1 x 10(6) cells/femur) compared to CTX alone treated group (8 x 10(6) cells/femur). Administration of Withania extract increased the number of alpha-esterase positive cells (1130/4000 cells) in the bone marrow of CTX treated animals, compared to the CTX-alone treated group (687/4000 cells). The major activity of Withania somnifera may be the stimulation of stem cell proliferation. These studies indicate that Withania somnifera could reduce the cyclophosphamide induced toxicity and its usefulness in cancer therapy.
Davis
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Professor Amala Cancer Research Centre, Amala Nagar P.O., Kerala, India.
Kuttan
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G
D000818:Animals; D000880:Anthraquinones / Q000097:blood; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000633:toxicity*; D001835:Body Weight; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000633:toxicity*; D004187:Disaccharides / Q000097:blood; D004950:Esterases / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000633:toxicity; D051379:Mice; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019657:Solanaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000637:Transaminases / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects
D000880:Anthraquinones; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D004187:Disaccharides; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; C064333:ruberythric acid; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D000637:Transaminases; C020656:glutamine-pyruvate aminotransferase; D004950:Esterases