Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf preparation prevents leukocyte apoptosis mediated by cisplatin plus 5-fluorouracil treatment in Swiss mice.
BACKGROUND
Neem (Azadirachta indica) is widely regarded as a wonder tree because of its diverse medicinal applications. We investigated the ability of neem leaf preparation (NLP) to protect against apoptosis of circulating blood cells induced by cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (cis + 5-FU) in carcinoma-bearing mice.


METHODS
Apoptosis was studied by annexin V-propidium iodide method. Total white blood cell count was performed using 3% glacial acetic acid on hemocytometer. Cytotoxicity was determined by LDH release assay and T/NK cell status was determined by flow cytometry.


RESULTS
In comparison to untreated control, during cis + 5-FU therapy, significant down-regulation of leukocyte apoptosis was noted in mice pretreated with NLP or granulocyte colony stimulating factor (GCSF) during cis + 5-FU therapy. This enhanced cytotoxicity may be associated with NLP-induced increase of the cytotoxic T and NK cell pool.


CONCLUSIONS
Efficacy of NLP is comparable to GCSF in its ability to protect against leukocyte apoptosis induced by cis + 5-FU. NLP would be a better choice of treatment because GCSF is tumor promoting, angiogenic and expensive.
Department of Immunoregulation and Immunodiagnostics, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata, India.
Diptendu
D
Ghosh
Anamika
A
Bose
Enamul
E
Haque
Rathindranath
R
Baral
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity*; D017209:Apoptosis; D031601:Azadirachta / Q000737:chemistry*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity*; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity*; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000494:pharmacology; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil