title: Uncaria tomentosa exerts extensive anti-neoplastic effects against the Walker-256 tumour by modulating oxidative stress and not by alkaloid activity.
abstract: This study aimed to compare the anti-neoplastic effects of an Uncaria tomentosa (UT) brute hydroethanolic (BHE) extract with those of two fractions derived from it. These fractions are choroformic (CHCl3) and n-butanolic (BuOH), rich in pentacyclic oxindole alkaloids (POA) and antioxidant substances, respectively. The cancer model was the subcutaneous inoculation of Walker-256 tumour cells in the pelvic limb of male Wistar rat. Subsequently to the inoculation, gavage with BHE extract (50 mg.kg(-1)) or its fractions (as per the yield of the fractioning process) or vehicle (Control) was performed during 14 days. Baseline values, corresponding to individuals without tumour or treatment with UT, were also included. After treatment, tumour volume and mass, plasma biochemistry, oxidative stress in liver and tumour, TNF-α level in liver and tumour homogenates, and survival rates were analysed. Both the BHE extract and its BuOH fraction successfully reduced tumour weight and volume, and modulated anti-oxidant systems. The hepatic TNF-α level indicated a greater effect from the BHE extract as compared to its BuOH fraction. Importantly, both the BHE extract and its BuOH fraction increased the survival time of the tumour-bearing animals. Inversely, the CHCl3 fraction was ineffective. These data represent an in vivo demonstration of the importance of the modulation of oxidative stress as part of the anti-neoplastic activity of UT, as well as constitute evidence of the lack of activity of isolated POAs in the primary tumour of this tumour lineage. These effects are possibly resulting from a synergic combination of substances, most of them with antioxidant properties.
authors: Pharmacology Department, Federal University of Paraná, Brazil.
authors: Arturo Alejandro
authors: AA
authors: Dreifuss
authors: Amanda Leite
authors: AL
authors: Bastos-Pereira
authors: Isabella Aviles
authors: IA
authors: Fabossi
authors: Francislaine Aparecida Dos Reis
authors: FA
authors: Lívero
authors: Aline Maria
authors: AM
authors: Stolf
authors: Carlos Eduardo
authors: CE
authors: Alves de Souza
authors: Liana de Oliveira
authors: Lde O
authors: Gomes
authors: Rodrigo Polimeni
authors: RP
authors: Constantin
authors: Aline Emmer Ferreira
authors: AE
authors: Furman
authors: Regiane Lauriano Batista
authors: RL
authors: Strapasson
authors: Simone
authors: S
authors: Teixeira
authors: Aleksander Roberto
authors: AR
authors: Zampronio
authors: Marcelo Nicolás
authors: MN
authors: Muscará
authors: Maria Elida Alves
authors: ME
authors: Stefanello
authors: Alexandra
authors: A
authors: Acco
mesh_terms: D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000470:Alkaloids / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002279:Carcinoma 256, Walker / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D020948:Cat's Claw / Q000737:chemistry*; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase