Antitumorigenic activity of the herbal mixture-ak27 on ehrlich ascites carcinoma in mice

Abstract

The treatment of cancer is highly challenging and contains surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy alone or combinations which have various side effects on the patient health. This study aimed at observing the possible antineoplastic activity of AK27-herbal mixture, a combination of pistachio resin, rhus resin, pollen, N. sativa seed, pomegranate skin and olive oil, on experimentally induced Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) in a mouse model. EAC-bearing mice were evaluated by tumor cell count (viable and non-viable), median survival time, percentage increase in the life span and live body weight changes up to 30 days of EAC inoculation. Volume of EAC cells and viable cell count were found to be significantly decreased in AK27 treated groups when compared to EAC control group (P<0.01). The highest viable cell count (mean 15.5x107/mL/mouse) and EAC volume (average 12 mL/mouse) was measured in the cancer group. Administration of AK27 mixture before tumor challenge prevented the EAC development whereas similtaneous administration or after tumor initiation, AK27 sifnificantly reduced the number of viable EAC cells with respect to cancer control group. After the 4th day onwards until the 12th day significant differences were observed between groups in terms of live body weight (P<0.001). All animals in cancer control group died within 12 days as expected. Mean life span in AK27 treated groups were varied from 24 to 26 days with percentage increase in life span of from 100 to 150. The present study demonstrated that AK27-compound was exhibited promising antitumor efficacy in EAC bearing mice.

Keywords

• ehrlich ascites carcinoma
• pistachio
• rhus
• nigella sativa
• pollen
• oliv