Does the Ukrain preparation protect mice against lethal doses of bacteria?

Ukrain, a semi-synthetic preparation obtained from Chelidonium majus L, is used in the treatment of cancer diseases. It has been observed to exert a protective influence in mice infected by influenza viruses. Recently, the influence of the preparation on the survival of mice infected by lethal doses of E. coli and S. aureus has been estimated. This preparation was administered to Balb/c mice subcutaneously in doses of 0.04, 0.4 and 4.0 mg/kg of body weight. Ukrain was given every second day during 20 days, or a short-term before-and-after method at 48, 24 and 2 h before the infection and or 2, 24 and 48 h after the infection of mice. The mice were infected intraperitoneally with E. coli or S. aureus in doses equivalent to 2LD50. Increased survival of mice, depending on the dose of the preparation and the kind of infecting bacterium was observed. The highest survival (50%) occurred in mice infected with E. coli and receiving the amount of the preparation corresponding to 0.4 mg/kg. The lowest survival was observed in mice infected by S. aureus and receiving the preparation in the amount of 4.0 mg/kg. Higher protective effectiveness of the Ukrain preparation was observed in mice when the preparation had been administered during 20 days as compared to the short-term before-and-after regime.