Evaluation of Radiosensitizing and Anti-Angiogenesis Activity of Chelidonium majus Extract in Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma Transplanted Mice

The use of a radiosensitizing and anti-angiogenic agents might augment the efficiency of cancer radiotherapy. Therefore, the anti-angiogenic and radiosensitizing potency of Chelidonium majus (C. majus; CM) ethanolic extract was examined in the current study. Ehrlich ascites Carcinoma (EAC) cells were inoculated into mice to induce an experimental model of solid tumors. Mice with well developed solid tumor were treated with C. majus (100 mg/kg b.wt, i.p) and exposed to a whole body γirradiation (6 Gy). The pro-angiogenic mediators (platelet activating factor; PAF and vascular endothelial growth factor; VEGF) matrix Metalloproteinases-2 and 9 (MMP-2 and 9) activity were evaluated in serum of different mice groups. The expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) were determined using RT-PCR. The results obtained showed that the observed increase in serum PAF, VEGF level and MMP-2&9 activities are associated with significant elevation in EGFR and suppression TIMP-1 expression in EAC and/ or R treated mice. Combination of CM extract with R in EAC bearing mice exhibited a significant reduction in PAF, VEGF and MMP-2 and 9 serum level with up-regulated TIMP-1 and down-regulated EGFR expression, which is indicated by significant tumor volume regression. It could be concluded that CM extract possessed an anti-angiogenic and radiosensitizing potential against EAC in mice.