Sapogenins isolated from the greater celandine (Chelidonium majus L.) seeds potentiate a therapeutic effect of vinblastine towards murine NK/Ly lymphoma

Abstract

Two treatment schemes (vinblastine and vinblastin in combination with sapogenin-like substance (SLS) isolated from the greater celandine seeds) were applied towards murine NK/Ly lymphoma, and their therapeutic effects were compared. It was revealed that at early stages of tumor growth, there was no significant difference in tumor suppressive effect of two treatment schemes. Potentiating effect of SLS in combined application with vinblastine manifested in delayed results of treatment, i.e. in more then 60 days after inoculation of tumor cells. Clinically, it was expressed in more effective suppression of tumor development after the repeated inoculation of tumor cells, as well as in preventing the appearance of solid tumor nodes, better recovery and survival of the treated mice. Quantitative evaluation of tumor cell damage was performed by using cell morphometry methods which revealed higher proportion of injured cells at the application of vinblastine-SLS mixture. Low toxicity of SLS from the greater celandine seeds, together with its enhancing effect upon the curative action of vinblastine, permits one to suggest a perspectiveness of SLS as an adjuvant in tumor chemotherapy.

Keywords

• greater celandine
• sapogenins
• vinblastine
• lymphoma nk/ly
• treatment