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Antitumor activity of methanol extract from roots of Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb
Abstract:
To evaluate the antitumor activity of Agrimonia pilosa LEDEB., the effects of the methanol extract from roots of the plant (AP-M) on several transplantable rodent tumors were investigated. AP-M significantly prolonged the life span of S180-, Meth-A fibrosarcoma- and MM-2 mammary carcinoma-bearing mice by intraperitoneal (i.p.) pre- or postmedication. AP-M also inhibited the growth of S-180 solid type tumor. On the other hand, the prolongation of life span induced by AP-M on S-180 ascites type tumor-bearing mice was markedly minimized or abolished by the pretreatment of cyclophosphamide. AP-M showed considerably strong cytotoxicity on MM-2 cells in vitro, but the effect was diminished to one-tenth by the addition of serum to the culture. Against the host animals, the peripheral white blood cells in mice were significantly increased from 2 to 5 days after the i.p. injection of AP-M. On 4th day after the injection of AP-M, the peritoneal exudate cells which possessed the cytotoxic activity on MM-2 cells in vitro were also increased to about 5-fold those in the non-treated control. The spleen of the mice was enlarged, and the spleen cells possessed the capacity to uptake 3H-thymidine. However, AP-M did not show direct migration activity like other mitogens against spleen cells from non-treated mice. These results indicate that the roots of Agrimonia pilosa contain some antitumor constituents, and possible mechanisms of the antitumor activity may be some host-mediated actions and direct cytotoxicity.
Insights
The methanol extract from Agrimonia pilosa roots (AP-M) demonstrated significant antitumor activity against various rodent tumors. AP-M
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology and Natural Products Chemistry
- Cancer Research and Immunology
Background:
- Agrimonia pilosa, a medicinal plant, has traditional uses suggesting potential therapeutic properties.
- Investigating natural compounds for antitumor activity is crucial for developing novel cancer therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the antitumor efficacy of the methanol extract from Agrimonia pilosa roots (AP-M).
- To explore the mechanisms underlying AP-M's potential anticancer effects in vivo and in vitro.
Main Methods:
- Administration of AP-M (intraperitoneal) to rodent models bearing transplantable tumors (S180, Meth-A fibrosarcoma, MM-2 mammary carcinoma).
- Assessment of tumor growth inhibition, lifespan prolongation, and host immune responses (white blood cells, peritoneal exudate cells, spleen cell activity).
- In vitro cytotoxicity assays on MM-2 cells with and without serum.
Main Results:
- AP-M significantly extended survival in mice with S180, Meth-A, and MM-2 tumors.
- AP-M inhibited solid S-180 tumor growth but its effect on ascites tumors was reduced by cyclophosphamide.
- AP-M enhanced host immunity by increasing white blood cells and cytotoxic peritoneal cells, and enlarged the spleen.
Conclusions:
- Agrimonia pilosa roots contain constituents with significant antitumor properties.
- The antitumor activity of AP-M is likely mediated through a combination of direct cytotoxicity and host-mediated immune responses.
