title: Estimation of trace elements in mace (Myristica fragrans Houtt) and their effect on uterine cervix cancer induced by methylcholanthrene.
abstract: In the present work, trace elemental analysis of mace (Myristica fragrans Houtt) was carried out by the atomic absorption spectrometry technique. The concentrations of various elements analyzed in this medicine were ranked in decreasing order: selenium (Se) > zinc (Zn) > magnesium (Mg) > iron (Fe) > calcium (Ca) > manganese (Mn) > lead (Pb). The concentrations of Mg, Zn, Fe, Mn, Ca, and Se were significantly decreased in serum of methylcholanthrene tumor models (P < 0.001) compared with the control and mace groups. It is consistent with the result of tumor incidence. These trace elements could be directly or indirectly responsible for the antitumor activity of mace. The inorganic elements in this folk remedy can partly account for the antitumor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar 161006, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Chunjing
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xiaodan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Qi
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Shuyan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xiulan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Haitao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yu
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008748:Methylcholanthrene / Q000633:toxicity*; D026323:Myristica / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D014131:Trace Elements; D008748:Methylcholanthrene