• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.234-240
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• 2007

The present study investigated the anti-tumor activity of ethyl acetate extract of Acanthospermum hispidum DC against daltons ascites lymphoma in mice. The extract was prepared by cold maceration with ethyl acetate for 3 - 7 days and evaporated in vacuum to dry. (Yield : 14.2 g, 1.42% w/w). The extract was fractionated by column chromatography by using gradient elution technique and the diterpenes fraction isolated (0.649 g). Both extract and the fraction were administered as oral suspension with tween 20 in water to tumor bearing mice (DAL) and changes in dead cell count, histopathology of tumor cells, hematological parameters and median survival time (MST) were examined and compared with that of tumor control or 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU). The results indicate that both ethyl acetate extract and fraction possess anti-tumor activity. The study suggests that Acanthospermum hispidum DC seems promising as a source of diterpenes for potential anti-tumor activity.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 2004

The present investigation was under taken to study whether the tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) of Daltons lymphoma (DL), a spontaneous transplantable murine T cell lymphoma can be activated to tumoricidal state by crude thymus extract. Intraperitoneal administration of thymus extract to DL-bearing mice resulted in activation of TAM with an enhanced IL-1, TNF and antigen presenting ability. It was found that treatment with thymus extract could also enhance the phagocytic and cytotoxic activity of TAM. However, only a marginal increase in arginase activity was observed. Till date to the best of our knowledge the effect of crude thymus extract on the activation of tumor associated macrophages has not been investigated, this study provides a new piece of information in the area of thymus therapy.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.72-79
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• 2003

The present investigation was undertaken to study whether tumor-associated macrophages of Daltons lymphoma (DL), a spontaneous transplantable T cell lymphoma can be activated to tumoricidal state by alcoholic extract of Tinospora cordifolia (ALTC). In vivo administration of ALTC (200 mg/kg body weight) in DL-bearing mice resulted in an enhanced RNI production and an augmented cytotoxic response of tumor-associated macrophages. Earlier we had reported that DL-bearing mice show a regression of thymus and an enlargement of spleen. In vivo administration of ALTC to DL-bearing hosts resulted in a decrease in the weight of spleen and counts of splenocytes along with an increase in the weight of thymus as compared to control DL-bearing mice. In vivo administration of ALTC in DL-bearing mice also resulted in an increase in the proliferation of splenocytes/thymocytes and BMC. The results of this study indicate that the ALTC upon in vivo administration in DL-bearing shows immuno-modulatory effects and thus may have clinical significance.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.459-465
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• 2008

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of in vivo administration of neem oil intra-peritoneally (i.p.) to mice bearing a progressively growing transplantable T cell lymphoma of spontaneous origin, designated as Daltons lymphoma (DL), on the tumor growth. Mice were administered various doses of neem oil mixed in groundnut oil, which was used as a diluting vehicle or for administration to control DL-bearing mice. Administration of neem oil resulted in an acceleration of tumor growth along with a reduction in the survival time of the tumor-bearing host. Neem oil administered DL-bearing mice showed an augmented apoptosis in splenocytes, bone marrow cells and thymocytes along with an inhibition in the anti-tumor functions of tumor-associated macrophages. Thus this study gives an altogether a novel information that neem oil instead of the popular belief of being anti-tumor and immunoaugmentary may in some tumor-bearing conditions, behave in an opposite way leading to an accelarated tumor progression along with a collapse of the host's anti-tumor machinery. These observations will thus have long lasting clinical significance, suggesting caution in use of neem oil for treatment of cancer.