Prevention of the Genotoxic Effects of Doxorubicin with Anthocyanin-Containing Complex from Sorbus aucuparia L. Fruit.

We studied the effect of an anthocyanin-containing complex from the fruits of S. aucuparia L. on doxorubicin-induced genotoxicity in bone marrow cells of C57BL/6 mice. The complex reduced the genotoxic effect doxorubicin in metaphase plates of bone marrow cells in 24, 48 h, and 10 days after the administration of the cytostatic. The mean number of single fragments and the fraction of cells with gaps and aberrant metaphases also decreased.

Effect of Tussilago farfara L. Polysaccharides on the Content of Hematopoietic Stem Cells (CD117+34+) in the Bone Marrow of Mice Treated with Cyclophosphamide.

Myelotoxicity is a serious side effect of anticancer drugs. The search for drugs that can reduce the hematological complications of chemotherapy through modulation of hematopoietic stem cells is an urgent task of oncopharmacology. In the present study we showed that administration of Tussilago farfara L. polysaccharides to C57BL/6 mice treated with cyclophosphamide can increase the number of hematopoietic stem cells (CD117+34+) in the bone marrow.

Effects of Tussilago farfara L. Polysaccharides on the Expression of PD-1 (CD279) and PD-L1 (CD274) in Peripheral Blood and Tumor Tissue Lymphocytes in Mice with Lewis Lung Carcinoma.

One of prospective methods for immunotherapy of tumors is modulation via immunological checkpoints, specifically, via the PD-1(CD279)/PD-L1(CD274) system. Interactions between tumor cell receptor (CD279) and the ligand on lymphocytes (CD274) leads to lymphocyte inactivation, which allows tumor escape from the immune control. Experiments on C57BL/6 mice with Lewis lung carcinoma demonstrate the possibility of reducing the expression of CD279 and CD274 on the peripheral blood and tumor tissue lymphocytes under the effects of Tussilago farfara L. polysaccharides. This phenomenon can underlie the antitumor and antimetastatic effects of these substances.

Correction of Damaging Effects of Cisplatin-Containing Polychemotherapy on the Intestinal Epithelium with Tussilago farfara L. Polysaccharides.

A possibility for correction of damaging effects of polychemotherapy on the intestinal epithelium with Tussilago farfara L. polysaccharides was studied on C57Bl/6 mice with Lewis lung carcinoma. The polysaccharides had protective and/or stimulating effects on the intestinal epithelium during polychemotherapy and promoted reparative regeneration in the intestine.

Protective Effect of Polysaccharides from Tussilago farfara L. on Bone Marrow Cells and Small Intestinal Epithelium Under Conditions of Polychemotherapy Evaluated by DNA Comet Assay.

Using DNA comet assay we found that polysaccharides from Tussilago farfara L. reduced the intensity of polychemotherapy-induced apoptosis and DNA damage in bone marrow cells and small intestinal epithelium of C57Bl/6 mice, which attested to genoprotective properties of these polysaccharides.

Modification of the Myelotoxic and Antitumor Effects of Polychemotherapy by Polysaccharides from Tussilago farfara L.

The experiments on C57Bl/6 mice with Lewis lung carcinoma showed that addition of Tussilago farfara L. polysaccharides to conventional cisplatin/paclitaxel polychemotherapy moderated neutropenia caused by antitumor therapy and increased its efficiency. The stimulating effect of polysaccharides on the granulopoietic lineage cells is comparable with that of recombinant CSF Neupogen.

Effect of Acorus calamus L. Polysaccharide on CD274 and CD326 Expression by Lewis Lung Carcinoma Cells in Mice.

Tumor cells can maintain their growth via immunosuppression and escape from host antitumor immunity by controlling the PD-1/PD-L1 system. Expression of PD-L1 (CD274) is an inhibitory signal for T cells, while the increase in CD326 expression in the tumor tissue correlates with metastasis development. The experimental preparation on the basis of α(1,2)-L-rhamno-α(1,4)-D-galactopyranosyluronan from Acorus calamus L. produces an antitumor effect: it reduces tumor node size and the number and area of metastases after transplantation of Lewis lung carcinoma. Using flow cytometry, we demonstrated a decrease in the population of tumor cells expressing surface CD274 (PD-L1) and CD326 antigens after 20-day course of α(1,2)-L-rhamno-α(1,4)-D-galactopyranosyluronan.

Antitumor Effects of Sorbus aucuparia L. Extract Highly Saturated with Anthocyans and Their Mechanisms.

The effects of Fructus Sorbi aucupariae extract, originally saturated with anthocyans, on the development of Lewis lung carcinoma and B-16 melanoma in C57Bl/6 mice and the efficiency of cyclophosphamide treatment were studied. Antitumor activity of the extract and potentiation of the antimetastatic activity of the cytostatic were demonstrated. Studies on melanoma B-16 model revealed an increase in the counts of stromal progenitor cells in the tumor node and their accelerated maturation after treatment with the extract. No effects towards the tumor stem and committed cells were detected.

Plant Polysaccharides Attenuate Fluorouracil Toxicity for the Small Intestinal Epithelium.

Polysaccharides from Tussilago farfara L., Acorus calamus L., and Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench attenuated the toxic effect of fl uorouracil on the small intestinal epithelium of mice with Lewis lung carcinoma. Addition of polysaccharides to chemotherapy protocols stimulated reparative regeneration processes in the small intestine damaged by the cytostatic treatment. No stimulating effects of the polysaccharides on tumor growth and metastasizing were revealed.

Effects of Cichorium Intybus L. Root Extract on Secretory Activity of the Stomach in Health and Ulcer Disease.

Gastroprotective effect of Cichorium intybus L. root extract is demonstrated on H. Shay's model of experimental ulcer in rats. The effect is attributed to the antisecretory activity of the plant and stimulation of defense barrier function of the gastric mucosa. The regulatory effect of the phytocomplex on seasonal characteristics of the gastric secretory and defense functions in dogs with Basov's fistula is detected.

Antiulcer activity of extracts of ecdysteroid-containing plants of genera Lychnis and Silene of the Caryophyllaceae family.

We studied antiulcer activity of the extracts of ecdysteroid-containing plants of the Caryophyllaceae family: Lychnis chalcedonica L., Silene viridiflora L.Sp.Pl., and Silene frivaldszkyana Hampe. Experiments on the model of neurogenic and aspirin-induced ulcerogenesis showed unidirectional and pronounced gastroprotective effects of S. viridiflora and L. chalcedonica extracts comparable to the efficacy of famotidine. In these models, a course of intragastric treatment with the extracts reduced ulcerative lesions of all types.

[Anti-ulcerative effect of non-starch polysaccharides].

Standard models of experimental ulceration (of neurogenic origin, H. Shay ulcer, indomethacine-, ethanol-, prednisolone-, histamine- and acetate-induced ulcers) were used to demonstrate protective effect of non-starch polysaccharides (potassium alginate, potassium pectate, low-esterified pectin). Potassium pectate proved to be the most efficacious protector. Mechanism of its anti-ulcerative action is attributable to antacidic, cytoprotective, and reparative activity. It appeals to optimally stimulate the motor-evacuation function and, besides, exhibits marked anti-inflammatory activity.

[Antiulcer effect of calcium pectate on model of chronic gastric ulcer in rats].

Calcium pectate has been found to exhibit an antiulcer activity in rats with model of chronic ulcers. Course treatment of the experimental animals with calcium pectate (i) accelerated the repair of experimental damage due to better integrity and higher secretory activity of epithelium and (ii) decreased hemodynamic disorders in surrounding mucous and epithelial membranes. The maximum effect, which was achieved with calcium pectate in a dose of 50 mg/kg, exceeded the action of the reference drug maalox on both 14th and 21st days of experiment.

Gastroprotective effect of nonstarch polysaccharide calcium pectate under experimental conditions.

Course prophylactic administration and single therapeutic treatment with calcium pectate improved resistance of rat gastroduodenal mucosa to ethanol-induced ulcers, prednisolone-induced ulcers, and H. Shay ulceration of the gastric mucosa.

Licorice preparations improve efficiency of chemotherapy and surgical treatment of transplanted tumors.

Experiments on animals with Lewis lung carcinoma and Ehrlich tumor showed that licorice (glycyrrhiza) extract and glyciram prepared from this plant improved the antitumor effect of cyclophosphamide. Glyciram reduced the toxic effect of the cytostatic on peripheral blood leukocytes. Licorice extract inhibited the growth of Ehrlich tumor and development of metastases in mice with Lewis lung carcinoma. Glyciram administered to mice after removal of Lewis lung carcinoma produced an antimetastatic effect and prevented relapses.

[Experimental evaluation of the antiulcer activity of calcium pectate].

Both chronic (prophylactic) and single administration of standardized calcium pectate considerably increased the resistance of rat stomach mucous membrane with respect to ulcerogenic factors of various etiology, including immobilized stress, indomethacin, ethanol, prednizolone, and histamine, according to H. Shay's model. The gastroprotective effect of this polysaccharide was comparable with or exceeded the action of famotidine, sea buckthorn oil, and maalox.

[Effect of Echinacea purpurea tincture and its polysaccharide complex on the efficacy of cytostatic therapy of transferred tumors].

Experiments on C57LB/6 mice with transplanted Luis lung carcinoma showed that the officinal Echinacea purpurea preparation did not influence the efficacy of cytostatic therapy. This echinacea preparation did not change the development of metastases and even stimulated the tumor growth. In contrast, a hydrophilic polysaccharide complex isolated from echinacea increased the antitumor and antimetastatic activity of cyclophosphamide.

[Effect of dry aspen bark extract on the motor function of gastrointestinal tract in mice].

Experiments on mice (both intact and those with reserpine induced gastric ulcers) showed that dry aspen bark (DAB) extract stimulated the motor gastric activity. The DAB preparation produced a moderate purgative effect.

Effect of baikal skullcap extract administered alone or in combination with cyclophosphamide on natural cytotoxicity system in mice with Lewis lung carcinoma.

Baikal skullcap extract was introduced into cytostatic therapy of mice with Lewis lung carcinoma. This extract potentiated the antimetastatic effect of cyclophosphamide in mice with grafted tumors. Combined treatment with cyclophosphamide and extract of Baikal skullcap modulated cytotoxic activity of natural killer cells and peritoneal macrophages during tumor growth.

Effects of extracts from medicinal plants on the development of metastatic process.

The possibility of inhibiting metastases by preparations from plants growing in Siberia and Far East after removal of the tumor node was proven in experiments on animals with transplanted tumors. Plant preparations stimulated the antitumor resistance of the organism.