Hesperidin inhibits cyclophosphamide-induced tumor growth delay in mice

Hesperidin is a natural compound that has chemoprotective effects in tumor cell lines and protective effects against hematotoxicity induced by cyclophosphamide. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of hesperidin on the antitumor effect of cyclophosphamide in tumor-bearing mice. Administration of hesperidin reduced the leukopenia induced by cyclophosphamide in normal mice. White blood cell counts were increased in mice treated with hesperidin at a dose 200 mg/kg prior to cyclophosphamide injection. This significant protective effect was observed at 4 and 7 days after cyclophosphamide injection. Coadministration of hesperidin with cyclophosphamide in colon carcinoma (CT-26)-bearing mice was found to significantly inhibit cyclophosphamide-induced tumor growth delay. Tumor-bearing mice treated with hesperidin had increased tumor development compared with control animals that did not receive any treatment. These results show that hesperidin interacts with cyclophosphamide to inhibit its antitumor effect. In this study, estrogen receptor was negative for the development of CT-26 tumor. These results imply that fruits containing hesperidin, such as citrus, might have side effects on the efficacy of cyclophosphamide in the treatment of patients with colon cancer.