Antitumour Activity of Methanolic Extract of Plumeria alba L. Leaves against Dalton Lymphoma Ascites in Mice

Purpose: To evaluate Plumeria alba leaves for antitumor activity against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) and Dalton lymphoma ascites (DLA) bearing Swiss albino mice. Method: The antitumour activity of the methanolic extract of Plumeria alba leaves (MPA) was evaluated against EAC and DLA using in-vitro cytotoxic and mean survival time; a decrease in the tumour volume and viable cell count in the DLA tumour hosts. The animal was observed for improvement in the haematological parameters (e.g.; heamoglobin content; red and white blood cells count; and differential cell count) following MPA treatment of the tumour bearing mice. Results: MPA was found to be cytotoxic in the in-vitro model. Intraperitoneal administration of MPA increased the survival time; dead cell count haematological parameters and solid tumour mass was also significantly reduced. Conclusion: MPA possesses significant antitumour activity

Restoration of tissue antioxidants and prevention of renal stone deposition in vitamin B6 deficient rats fed with vitamin E or methionine.

Observed loss in body weight gain, increased lipid peroxidation reaction, decreased concentrations of antioxidants, ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol and reduced glutathione and antioxidant enzymes, glutathione peroxidase and catalase and increased concentration of hydroperoxides and hydroxyl radicals in vitamin B6 deficient rat liver [J Nutri Biochem, 2 (1991) 245] and kidney [Biochem International, 21 (1991) 599] were nearly normalized on feeding with vitamin E or methionine. Accumulation of oxalate and calcium during vitamin B6 deficiency was abolished by feeding vitamin E or methionine. Calcium oxalate deposition observed in vitamin B6 deficient kidney was completely prevented when fed along with vitamin E or methionine. However the hyperoxaluria and hypercalciuria persisted even after feeding with vitamin E or methionine.

Increased plasma lipidperoxidation in vitamin B-6 deficient rats.

Lipidperoxidation in plasma of rats fed with vitamin B-6 deficient diet for a period of 12 weeks was studied with pair-fed controls. Plasma pyridoxal 5'-phosphate, alanine amino transferase and aspartate amino transferase, the markers of vitamin B-6 status, were significantly low in vitamin B-6 deficient rats. Plasma malondialdehyde level, conjugated dienes and lipofuscin like pigments were increased in vitamin B-6 deficiency. Increased levels of plasma lipids, calcium, iron and copper were observed in vitamin B-6 deficiency. Plasma susceptibility to lipidperoxidation was maximal in vitamin B-6 deficiency, upon stimulation by the promotors, Fe2+, Fe3+, Cu2+, ascorbate, t-butyl hydroperoxide and hydrogen peroxide.