title: Inhibition of N-Methyl N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) induced gastric carcinogenesis by Phyllanthus amarus extract.
abstract: Chemopreventive activity of Phyllanthus amarus Schum & Thonn (Euphorbiaceae) extract was studied with regard to N-methyl N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) induced stomach cancer in Wistar rats. Administration of the extract with MNNG significantly reduced the incidence of gastric neoplasms in rats (44%) as well as their numbers. Moreover, elevated levels of enzymes in the stomach were found to be reduced by P. amarus administration. For example, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity was decreased from 20.3 +/- 6.7 mmol/min/mg protein to almost normal levels (2.8 +/- 0.9) by 750 mg/kg body weight of the extract. Similarly glutathione S-transferase activity (1317.6 +/- 211 n mol/min/mg protein) and glutathione reductase (368 +/- 66) levels in the MNNG treated group were found to be lowered to 494.8 +/- 76 and 192 +/- 45, respectively, while reduced glutathione (GSH) was increased from 4.6+/- 0.9 to 8.5+/-1.4 n mol/min/mg protein. AgNOR dots and clusters, indicators of cellular proliferation, which were increased by MNNG treatment, became near to normal in P. amarus treated animals.
authors.affiliation: Amala Cancer Research Centre, Thrissur, Kerala 680 555, India.
authors.forename: K Regi
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Raphael
authors.forename: Mc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sabu
authors.forename: Kb Hari
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Ramadasan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kuttan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008769:Methylnitronitrosoguanidine; D029803:Phyllanthus; D008517:Phytotherapy; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D008769:Methylnitronitrosoguanidine