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[Inhibitory effect of refined Amorphophallus konjac on MNNG-induced lung cancers in mice]
1Institute of Cancer Research, West China University of Medical Sciences, Chengdu.
Abstract:
550 seven-wk-old LACA mice were used in 3 batches for studying the inhibitory effect of refined Amorphophallus konjac (Konjaku powder) on MNNG-induced lung cancers. The mice (within each batch) were randomly allocated into four groups, namely, positive control (MNNG), Amorphophallus konjac (A. K.), complex (MNNG+A. K.), and blank control (C) groups. In MNNG group, MNNG (250 micrograms) was injected intravenously once every five days for seven times in each mouse, the total dosage of MNNG being 1.75 mg. In A. K. group, according to w/w, 8% A. K. was well mixed into 92% common diet for long-term breeding. In the complex group, MNNG was given as that in MNNG group and the mice were kept as those in A. K. group. The mice in MNNG group and in C group were all maintained on common diet. The results showed different degrees of inhibitory and preventive effect of refined A. K. on MNNG-induced lung cancers. Refined A. K. not only exerted effect on the number of induced cancer and precancerous lesions, causing a drop in cancer rate from 70.87% to 19.38% and the mean number of cancer and precancerous lesions in each animal, but also altered the constituent ratio of the kinds of tumors, showing a decrease in malignancy (adenoma with malignant change), absence of adenocarcinoma, and relative increase in benign adenoma. The results of experiments in 3 batches also exhibited good reproducibility as well as absence of adverse reaction to Konjaku powder.
Insights
Refined Amorphophallus konjac (Konjaku powder) significantly inhibited MNNG-induced lung cancer in mice. Konjaku powder reduced cancer rates and malignancy, demonstrating a preventive effect without adverse reactions.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Natural Products Research
Background:
- Lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide.
- Chemically induced cancer models are crucial for evaluating potential therapeutic agents.
- N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) is a known carcinogen used to induce tumors in experimental settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the inhibitory and preventive effects of refined Amorphophallus konjac (Konjaku powder) on MNNG-induced lung cancer in LACA mice.
- To assess the impact of Konjaku powder on cancer incidence, precancerous lesions, and tumor types.
- To evaluate the safety and reproducibility of Konjaku powder administration.
Main Methods:
- 550 seven-week-old LACA mice were divided into four groups: positive control (MNNG), Amorphophallus konjac (A.K.), complex (MNNG+A.K.), and blank control (C).
- MNNG was administered intravenously to induce lung cancer.
- A refined A.K. diet (8% A.K. mixed with 92% common diet) was given to specific groups for long-term study.
- Tumor incidence, lesion counts, and tumor histology were analyzed across groups.
Main Results:
- Refined Amorphophallus konjac significantly reduced the lung cancer rate from 70.87% to 19.38% in MNNG-treated mice.
- Konjaku powder decreased the mean number of cancerous and precancerous lesions per animal.
- A shift in tumor composition was observed, with a decrease in malignant adenomas and an increase in benign adenomas, and no adenocarcinoma cases in the A.K. groups.
- Experiments showed good reproducibility and no adverse reactions to Konjaku powder.
Conclusions:
- Refined Amorphophallus konjac exhibits significant inhibitory and preventive effects against MNNG-induced lung cancer in mice.
- Konjaku powder demonstrates potential as a chemopreventive agent by reducing cancer incidence and altering tumor malignancy.
- The study confirms the safety and reproducibility of using refined Amorphophallus konjac in this cancer model.
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