title: Restoration of thymic homeostasis in a tumor-bearing host by in vivo administration of medicinal herb Tinospora cordifolia.
abstract: In vivo administration of alcoholic extract of medicinal plant Tinospora cordifolia (TC) to mice bearing a spontaneous T cell lymphoma designated as Dalton's lymphoma prevented tumor growth-dependent regression of thymus. TC was found to augment proliferation of thymocytes with a concomitant decrease in thymocyte apoptosis. It also resulted in a decrease in the number of Hassal's corpuscles. Restoration of thymus homeostasis was caused by TC-dependent augmentation in production of thymocyte growth promoting cytokines Interleukin-2 and Interferon-gamma from thymocytes. TC was found to downregulate thymocyte apoptosis by modulation of Caspase pathway. TC administration retarded tumor growth and prolonged survival of tumor-bearing mice. The possible mechanisms are discussed.
authors.affiliation: School of Biotechnology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, UP, India.
authors.forename: Nisha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Sukh Mahendra
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.lastname: Prakash
authors.forename: Gajendra
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Singh
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D003851:Deoxyribonucleases / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006706:Homeostasis; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000378:metabolism; D016399:Lymphoma, T-Cell / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D015996:Survival Rate; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors; D031610:Tinospora
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D016207:Cytokines; D007376:Interleukin-2; D010936:Plant Extracts; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D003851:Deoxyribonucleases; C109663:caspase-activated deoxyribonuclease