title: Antitumoral potency of methanolic extract from Nitraria retusa leaves via its immunomodulatory effect.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to assess the antitumoral effect of the methanol extract (MeOH) from Nitraria retusa leaves and to investigate its immunomodulatory activity that mediated the prevention of tumor progression in tumor-bearing mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Balb/c mice weighing 18-20 g were subcutaneously implanted with B16-F10 cells then injected intra-peritoneally, 7 days later with (200 mg/kg bw) of MeOH extract, for 21 days. After euthanization on day 21, the tumors were weighed. Lymphocyte proliferation, cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) and NK activity were evaluated using the MTT assay. Macrophage phagocytosis was studied by measuring their lysosomal activity and nitric oxide production.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The methanol extract inhibited significantly the growth of the implanted tumor, and increased remarkably splenocyte proliferation as well as NK and CTL activities, in tumor-bearing mice. It also promoted lysosomal activity of treated animal macrophages.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest that antitumoral effect of MeOH extract is related with to immunomodulatory activity.
authors: Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Monastir, Rue Avicenne, Monastir, 5000 Tunisia ; Unity of Bioactive Natural Substances and Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Monastir, Rue Avicenne, Monastir, 5000 Tunisia ; Higher Institute of Medical Technologies of Tunis, Tunis El Manar University, Tunis Rommana, 1068 Tunisia.
authors: Jihed
authors: J
authors: Boubaker
authors: Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Monastir, Rue Avicenne, Monastir, 5000 Tunisia ; Unity of Bioactive Natural Substances and Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Monastir, Rue Avicenne, Monastir, 5000 Tunisia.
authors: Fadwa
authors: F
authors: Chaabane
authors: Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Monastir, Rue Avicenne, Monastir, 5000 Tunisia ; Unity of Bioactive Natural Substances and Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Monastir, Rue Avicenne, Monastir, 5000 Tunisia.
authors: Ahmed
authors: A
authors: Bedoui
authors: Higher Institute of Medical Technologies of Tunis, Tunis El Manar University, Tunis Rommana, 1068 Tunisia.
authors: Rihab
authors: R
authors: Aloui
authors: Higher Institute of Medical Technologies of Tunis, Tunis El Manar University, Tunis Rommana, 1068 Tunisia.
authors: Besma Ben
authors: BB
authors: Ahmed
authors: Unity of Bioactive Natural Substances and Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Monastir, Rue Avicenne, Monastir, 5000 Tunisia.
authors: Kamel
authors: K
authors: Ghedira
authors: Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Monastir, Rue Avicenne, Monastir, 5000 Tunisia ; Unity of Bioactive Natural Substances and Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Monastir, Rue Avicenne, Monastir, 5000 Tunisia.
authors: Leila
authors: L
authors: Chekir-Ghedira
keywords: Antitumor; Immunomodulatory; Melanoma; Natural killer; Nitraria retusa; Splenocyte