Rasagenthi lehyam (RL) a novel complementary and alternative medicine for prostate cancer.
OBJECTIVE
The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in cancer has been increasing. The therapeutic modalities which originated from India, viz., Ayurveda and Siddha, have phytotherapy as their fundamental basis and, therefore, produce few side effects. They are among the most ancient medicinal systems and are still being practiced in India and elsewhere, to cure cancer and other diseases. Many Siddha practitioners in the southern parts of India prescribe rasagenthi lehyam (RL) as a drug for cancer. RL contains 38 different botanicals, many of which have been shown to possess therapeutic efficacy, and 8 inorganic compounds, all prepared into a paste in a palm sugar and hen's egg base. The efficacy of RL in killing prostate cancer cells in vitro was investigated in this study to determine whether RL could be recommended as a CAM for prostate cancer.


METHODS
In order to scientifically validate the anticancer activity of RL on prostate cancer, a methanolic extract of RL was serially extracted with four organic solvents, and the extracts were tested for clonogenic inhibition and induction of apoptosis in PC-3 prostate cancer cells, with and without irradiation. n-Hexane, ethyl acetate and chloroform extracts of RL effectively killed PC-3 cells.


RESULTS
The IC(50) values of n-hexane, ethyl acetate and chloroform extracts of RL were 3.84 microg/ml, 3.68 microg/ml and 75 ng/ml, respectively. All three extracts induced apoptosis in PC-3 cells. Further, all the three extracts when combined with radiation, caused enhanced effect on killing of PC-3 cells. Among the three extracts, the chloroform extract showed the most significant radiation-sensitizing effect.


CONCLUSIONS
RL, either in its original formulation prepared under strict quality control or its chloroform extract, could potentially be an alternative medicine for prostate cancer, and also a sensitizing agent in the context of radiation therapy for prostate cancer, as a complementary medicine. A more directed study could lead to the identification of the active principle(s) in the chloroform extract of RL for use in prostate cancer therapy.
Ranga
Rama S
RS
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Kentucky, Room No 209D, 900 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40536-0200, USA.
Girija
Ramankutty
R
Nur-e-Alam
Mohammed
M
Sathishkumar
Sabapathy
S
Akbarsha
Mohammed A
MA
Thirugnanam
Subbiah
S
Rohr
Jürgen
J
Ahmed
Mansoor M
MM
Chendil
Damodaran
D
D017209:Apoptosis; D002725:Chloroform / Q000032:analysis; D004354:Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008515:Medicine, Ayurvedic; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011786:Quality Control; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D012997:Solvents / Q000032:analysis; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D010936:Plant Extracts; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; D012997:Solvents; D002725:Chloroform