ABSTRACT
Background: A major impediment in treatment for cancers is resistance to chemotherapy and is primarily attributed to over-expression of efflux pumps. This study aimed to establish the cytotoxicity of malabaricone-A (MAL-A) in P-glycoprotein/multidrug resistance (P-gp/MDR) over-expressing hematopoietic cancer cell lines.Methods: Leukemia and multiple myeloma cell lines were indirectly evaluated for their P-gp/MDR status by examining Calcein-AM fluorescence and cell viability was assessed by the MTS-PMS assay.Results: The fluorescence of calcein was significantly decreased in three cell lines LP-1, RPMI-8226 and CEM-ADR 5000 and reversal with verapamil endorsed their P-gp/MDR activity. The mean IC50 of MAL-A in these MDR+ cell lines (5.40±1.41 to 12.33±0.78 µg/ml) was comparable with the MDR- leukemic (9.72±1.08 to 19.26±0.75 µg/ml) and multiple myeloma cell lines (9.65±0.39 to 18.05±0.17 ?g/ml).Conclusions: Irrespective of their P-gp activity, the cytotoxicity of MAL-A was comparable, making it worthy of future pharmacological consideration in multidrug resistance.
ABSTRACT
Background: Among the various modalities of anti-cancer treatment, cancer chemotherapy plays a very vital role. The alarming side effects being its main drawback leads to relentless research for newer agents. A new natural agent with promising anti-cancer properties from in-vitro studies leads to this study. Here we have evaluated the anti-tumor activity of a crude extract of fruit rind of Myristica malabarica in an Ehrlich ascites carcinoma model in mice.Methods: A murine model of cancer was established with i.p. inoculation of Ehrlich Ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells; animals were divided into five groups (including normal control) to observe the inhibitory effect of a crude extract of the fruit rind of Myristica malabarica/rampatri (0-100mg/kg b.w. i.p.) as compared with methotrexate (0.4mg/kg bw., i.p.). Blood and ascitic fluid were collected on the 10th day for analysis.Results: In the EAC model, there was an increase in tumor volume, tumor weight, and tumor packed cell volume, which was decreased by rampatri (50 and 100mg/kg bw) along with an increase in the mean survival time (MST). Rampatri caused minimal alterations in hematological parameters, renal functions remained unchanged but an increase in hepatic SGOT was demonstrated.Conclusions: The crude extract of rampatri (containing Malabaricones) exhibited significant anti-tumor activity with minimal effect on hematological and renal functions.
ABSTRACT
There has been a sea change in the ethos of medicine in India in recent decades. Academic dishonesty of an alarming nature has been reported in medical colleges. Moral degeneration and corruption have engulfed the establishment at the highest level. The head of the Medical Council of India was found guilty of corruption and stripped of his position a few years ago. Many professors in private medical colleges draw a part of their salary as "black"money. There is little discussion on this growing malady within the profession. Professional medical associations have turned a blind eye towards unethical practices; sincere efforts to take a stand on ethical medicine are lacking. Marginalisation of ethics raises questions about the professional integrity, moral sensitivity and social responsibility of practitioners of modern medicine in India.