Methoxyphenyl maleamic acid augments the activity of cytotoxic drugs against murine tumours.

The anti-tumour effects of methoxyphenyl maleamic acid (MPMA) and cytotoxic drugs, in combination were investigated on P388 leukaemia and S180 (ascites) tumours. Simultaneous administration of MPMA with CTX or HN2 resulted in enhancement of anti-tumour activity. The increased activity was observed against P388 leukaemia, whereas S180 (ascites) tumour was not responsive to the combined treatment. The possible mechanism (s) of action, responsible for the modulation of activity of CTX and HN2 against P388 tumour have been postulated.

Actividad antitumoral del CCNU obtenido en Cuba / Antineoplasic activity of CCNU obtained in Cuba

El (1-[2-cloroetil] 1-nitroso, 3 ciclohexil urea) (CCNU) es una droga antitumoral que forma parte actualmente de múltiples esquemas de poliquimioterapia en el tratamienmto de diferentes localizaciones y su obtención en el país aumentará la disponibilidad de este producto. El presente trabajo evalúa la actividad, en comparación con el producto comercial usado actualmente en la clínica oncológica y por los resultados obtenidos en los tumores experimentales utilizados, ambos productos manifiestan semejante actividad antitumoral

Effects of cimetidine combination with cyclophosphamide in transplanted murine tumors.

Studies were carried out on the combination of Cimetidine (CMTD) with Cytoxan (CTX) in three murine tumors. While the combination significantly potentiated the anticancer effect of CTX in L1210 leukemia, the results with P388 leukemia were not significantly different. The results with Lewis Lung Carcinoma showed a consistent reduction in the number of metastases. However, there was no consistent concomitant prolongation in survival. The host strain, biology of the tumour and the drug used in combination with CMTD might be some of the factors responsible for the varied response.

Tamizaje antitumoral de plantas cubanas: II; estudio preliminar / Antitumorous screening of cuban plants: II; preliminary study

Los extractos etanólicos de 17 especies botánicas, fueron testados frente a los tumores experimentales leucemia P-388 y adenocarcinoma mamario 755. De estas especies, 16 pertenecen a la familia Rubiaceae y la restante a la familia Clusiaceae; 9 son endémicas. No se observó actividad antitumoralsignificativa de los extractos ensayados con las dosis administradas

Actividad antitumoral y principales efectos tóxicos del 1,3 biscloroetil nitrosourea (BCNU) sintetizado en Cuba / Antitumoregenic activity and main toxic effects of 1,3 bischloroethylnitrosourea (BCNU) synthetized in Cuba

Se estudió la actividad antitumoral del 1,3 biscloroetil nitrosourea (BCNU) sintetizado en Cuba en dos tumores transplantables de ratón, las leucemias L-1210 y P-388, así como la toxicidad de diferentes esquemas de administración del producto en ratas albinas. El producto aumentó notablemente la supervivencia de los animales tratados con respecto al control en los tumores experimentales usados y manifestó efectos tóxicos notables en el sistema hematopoyético y el hígado

Investigaciones sobre nuevas sustancias antitumorales: VI. Tamizaje alcaloidal y antitumoral de plantas cubanas / Researches on new antitumorigenic substances: VI. Antitumorigenic and alkaloidal screening of Cuban plants

Se estudia la actividad antitumoral de extractos etanólicos de plantas que crecen en Cuba en ratones con leucemia P-388 y leucemia 1210, se realiza un tamizaje alcaloidal para las mismas especies con el empleo de reactivos precipitantes y la cromatografía en placa delgada. Las plantas pertenecen a las familias Euphorbiaceae, Rubiaceae, Leguminoseae, Clusiaceae, Moraceae, Sapotaceae, Menispermeaceae y Sterculiaceae. Contienen alcaloides las especies Aleurites trisperma Blanco, Aleurites moluccana (L) Wiel, Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb) Benth, Tamarindus indica L., Chlorophora trinctoria L. Gaud e Hyperbaena racemosa Ukb. Tienen actividad antitumoral Chamaesyce buxifolia (Lam) Small, Andira inermis (Sw) H B K y Clusia rosea Jacq

Inability of amphotericin B(Fungizone) or of sodium deoxycholate to alter natural drug resistance or sensitivity of transplanted murine leukemias.

The ability of Amphotericin B ('Fungizone') to alter the natural resistance of leukemia L1210 to vincristine was studied in BDF1 mice Neither Fungizone nor the "solubilizing agent" sodium deoxycholate, when used in combination with vincristine potentiated the activity of the drug against L1210. There was no change in the activity pattern of 5-fluorouracil against L1210 or vincristine against P388 lymphocytic leukemia respectively, which are sensitive to these drugs. Thus, both Fungizone and sodium deoxycholate failed to improve the activity of the drugs in either a naturally resistant or sensitive murine leukemia in vivo.

Anti tumour and pharmacological effects of the oil from Semecarpus anacardium Linn. f.

Semecarpus anacardium Linn.f. nuts were extracted by using non-polar and polar organic solvents. Hot methanol extract and a resinous fraction, isolated from it, showed antitumour activity against P388 lymphocytic leukaemia in BDF1 mice as judged by their median survival time. Petroleum ether extract and its chromatographically isolated fraction were obtained. The latter fraction was distilled under reduced pressure to get an orange-coloured oil, (b.p. 200-20 degrees/2-3 mm). Both had antitumour activity. The orange-coloured oil, on further distillation under reduced pressure, yielded Bhilawanol. An acetyl derivative of the oil was also obtained. The latter two also had antitumour activity.

Cytotoxicity of the acetylated oil of Semecarpus anacardium Linn. f.

The cytotoxic effects of acetylated oil of Semecarpus anacardium nuts on the cells of P388 lymphocytic leukemia were tested in vitro. The product was tested at the concentrations ranging from 15-75 micrograms/ml. The cell kill was observed as early as three hr after the treatment. The effects of acetylated oil on the biosynthesis of DNA, RNA and protein using labelled thymidine, uridine and leucine respectively showed that the product inhibited the biosynthesis of all the three. This was indicated by the inhibition of the incorporation of their precursors. The uptake of 3H-thymidine was inhibited 15 min after treatment; while that of 3H-uridine and 14C-leucine took 30 and 45 min respectively. Since the S. anacardium oil was unstable due to air-oxidation, the studies were confined to its acetylated product.