Effect of Zizyphus Leaves Extract on Mice Suffering from Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma

The present study was concerned with the pharmacological potency of zizyphus leaves extract towards antitumor in the form of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) model in female albino mice. Ascites tumor was introduced into mice by inoculation of 2 x 10 viable tumor cells/mouse. After 10 days of transplantation, the extraction of zizyphus leaves was given daily for 21 days via intraperitoneal route at a dose level of 200mg/kg body weight (b.w.) to mice bearing EAC cells. Then, the blood samples and tissues of liver, kidney, spleen, small and large intestine were collected from treated and control animals for biochemical and histopathological examination. The therapeutic role of zizyphus leaves extract against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma appeared, to a great extent, in retardation of animal body weight as well as improvement of corticoesterone level and immune markers such as monocytes chemoattractant protein1(MCP-1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interlukin-10 (IL10). The enhancement of antioxidant status in extract treated animals was appeared in restoration of serum thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARs) and total antioxidants values. Regarding to histopathological results, treatment with zizyphus leaves extract diminished most of the pathological alterations induced by EAC cells in mice and confirmed the biochemical results. Thus, zizyphus leaves extract may be utilized to reduce EAC tumor and it could be recommended with attempts to integrate from animal studies, and considers their possible application in human. [Amal I. Hassan and Eman I. Abdel-Gawad. Effect of Zizyphus Leaves Extract on Mice Suffering from Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma. Nature and Science 2010;8(11):234-244] (ISSN: 1545-0740).