Effect of a homeopathic drug, Chelidonium, in amelioration of p-DAB induced hepatocarcinogenesis in mice.
BACKGROUND
Crude extracts of Chelidonium majus, and also purified compounds derived from crude extracts of this plant, have been reported to exhibit anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and anti-microbial properties both in vitro and in vivo. Chelidonium is a homeopathic drug routinely used against various liver disorders including cancer in humans. Two potencies of Chelidonium (Ch-30, Ch-200) have been tested for their possible anti-tumor and enzyme modulating activities in liver and anti-clastogenic effects during p-DAB-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in mice compared to suitable controls.


METHODS
Several cytogenetic and enzymatic protocols were used at three fixation intervals; at 60 days, 90 days and 120 days of treatment. Different sets of healthy mice were fed: i) hepatocarcinogen, p-DAB plus phenobarbital (PB), ii) only PB, iii) neither p-DAB nor PB (normal control). One set of mice fed with p-DAB plus PB was also fed Ch-30 (iv) and another set Ch-200 (v). All standard currently used methods were adopted for cytogenetical preparations and for the enzyme assays.


RESULTS
All group (i) mice developed tumors in liver at all fixation intervals, while none of group (ii) and (iii) mice developed any tumors. About 40% mice in group (iv) and group (v) did not show tumor nodules in their liver. Feeding of Chelidonium to group (iv) and (v) mice reduced genotoxic effects to a significant extent (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The homeopathic drug Chelidonium exhibited anti-tumor and anti-genotoxic activities and also favorably modulated activities of some marker enzymes. Microdoses of Chelidonium may be effectively used in combating liver cancer.
Biswas
Surjyo Jyoti
SJ
Cytogenetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, Kalyani-741 235, W.B. India. surjyobiswas@yahoo.com
Khuda-Bukhsh
Anisur Rahman
AR
D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002273:Carcinogens; D028281:Chelidonium; D006705:Homeopathy; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008114:Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D008940:Mitotic Index; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012074:Remission Induction; D004124:p-Dimethylaminoazobenzene
D002273:Carcinogens; D010936:Plant Extracts; D004124:p-Dimethylaminoazobenzene; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D000135:Acid Phosphatase