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An Orthotopic Murine Model of Human Prostate Cancer Metastasis
Published on: September 19, 2013
Inhibition of prostate cancer-cell proliferation by Essiac
Jessica Ottenweller1, Karson Putt, Elliott J Blumenthal
1Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne, IN, USA.
Objective:
To assess the ability of Essiac tea extracts (Essiac Canada International, Ottawa, Canada) to modulate cancer cell proliferation and immune responsiveness.
Design:
A noncancerous transformed cell line was compared to a cancerous cell line and spleen cells that had been isolated from mice to examine proliferation responses mediated by the addition of an Essiac preparation.
Results:
We found in vitro evidence of decreased proliferation of both noncancerous transformed (CHO) and cancerous prostate cell line (LNCaP) when Essiac was present in the culture media. A dose response for inhibition was demonstrated by a linear regression performed on the data for both the CHO and LNCaP cells. The percent inhibition of the LNCaP cells was higher than the percent inhibition of the CHO cells suggesting that Essiac may have a more selective effect on cancer cells than transformed cells. In addition, the effects of Essiac were examined in an immune T-lymphocyte proliferation assay. At low doses of Essiac, augmentation of proliferation of these T cells was demonstrated, but at higher doses Essiac was inhibitory to T-cell proliferation. The same doses of Essiac that stimulated spleen cells were inhibitory for LNCaP cell proliferation.
Conclusions:
Essiac preparations may be able to inhibit tumor cell growth while enhancing immune response to antigenic stimulation. This may be especially valuable in immune-suppressed individuals.
Insights
Essiac tea extracts show potential in inhibiting cancer cell growth and enhancing immune responses. This herbal remedy may selectively target cancer cells while modulating T-lymphocyte proliferation.
Area of Science:
- Herbal medicine research
- Immunology
- Cancer biology
Background:
- Essiac tea is a herbal preparation with a history of use in alternative medicine.
- Its effects on cancer cell proliferation and immune function require scientific investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of Essiac tea extracts on cancer cell proliferation.
- To assess Essiac's modulation of immune cell responsiveness.
Main Methods:
- In vitro study comparing noncancerous transformed cells (CHO) and cancerous prostate cells (LNCaP).
- Assessed proliferation responses of cell lines and isolated mouse spleen cells with Essiac.
- Utilized T-lymphocyte proliferation assays to examine immune effects.
Main Results:
- Essiac demonstrated in vitro inhibition of proliferation in both CHO and LNCaP cells, with a more pronounced effect on LNCaP cells.
- Essiac exhibited a dose-dependent effect on T-lymphocyte proliferation, with low doses augmenting and high doses inhibiting.
- Doses that stimulated spleen cells were inhibitory to LNCaP cell proliferation.
Conclusions:
- Essiac preparations may inhibit tumor cell growth.
- Essiac may enhance immune response to antigenic stimulation, potentially benefiting immune-suppressed individuals.
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