title: Effect of Withania somnifera on 20-methylcholanthrene induced fibrosarcoma.
abstract: Administration of an extract from the root of the plant Withania somnifera (20mg/dose/animal i.p) was found to inhibit the 20-methylcholanthrene induced sarcoma development in mice and increase the life span of tumour bearing animals. Administration of Withania could inhibit the lipid peroxide formation (152 nanomoles/mg protein) (P<0.01) compared with control (198 nanomoles/mg protein). Withania could increase the GSH level (7.7 micromoles/mg protein) which was lowered in control tumour bearing animals (3.96 micromoles/mg protein). GST level was also significantly increased (451 micromoles/min/mg protein) (P<0.001) in Withania treated animals compared to control animals (205 micromoles/min/mg protein). All the animals in the control group developed sarcoma by the 80th day of carcinogen administration. Only 3 animals in the Withania treated group developed sarcoma by the 105th day. In control animals the survival rate was 40% but in the Withania treated group the survival rate was 100% after 15 weeks of carcinogen treatment. These results indicate that Withania could inhibit 20-methylcholanthrene induced sarcoma development in mice.
authors.affiliation: Amala Cancer Research Centre, Amala Nagar Thrissur, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kuttan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005354:Fibrosarcoma / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000378:metabolism; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008054:Lipid Peroxides / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects; D008748:Methylcholanthrene / Q000633:toxicity; D051379:Mice; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D019657:Solanaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D008054:Lipid Peroxides; D010936:Plant Extracts; D008748:Methylcholanthrene; D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D005978:Glutathione