Protective effects of Emblica officinalis Gaertn. in cyclophosphamide-treated mice

Hum Exp Toxicol. 2001 Dec;20(12):643-50. doi: 10.1191/096032701718890568.

Abstract

Cyclophosphamide (CP) is one of the most popular alkylating anticancer drugs in spite of its toxic side effects including immunotoxicity, hematotoxicity, mutagenicity and a host of others. The present study was undertaken to assess the protective effects of total aqueous extract of a medicinal plant, Indian gooseberry (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.) in mice treated with CP. These protective effects were studied on immunological parameters and kidney and liver antioxidants. Plant extract treatment at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight per os (p.o.) for 10 days resulted in the modulation of these parameters in normal as well as CP (50 mg/kg)-treated animals. Plant extract in particular was very effective in reducing CP-induced suppression of humoral immunity. Plant extract treatment in normal animals modulated certain antioxidants of kidney and liver. In CP-exposed animals, plant pretreatment provided protection to antioxidants of kidney. Not only were the reduced glutathione levels significantly (p<0.001) increased but plant extract treatment resulted in restoration of antioxidant enzymes in CP-treated animals. It is suggested that E. officinalis or its medicinal preparations may prove to be useful as a component of combination therapy in cancer patients under CP treatment regimen.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Antibody Formation / drug effects
  • Antioxidants / metabolism
  • Bone Marrow / drug effects
  • Bone Marrow / pathology
  • Cyclophosphamide / toxicity*
  • Female
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Hypersensitivity, Delayed / chemically induced
  • Hypersensitivity, Delayed / prevention & control*
  • Immunity, Cellular / drug effects
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / toxicity*
  • Kidney / drug effects
  • Kidney / metabolism
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Phyllanthus emblica / chemistry*
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Spleen / drug effects
  • Spleen / pathology
  • Thymus Gland / drug effects
  • Thymus Gland / pathology

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Antioxidants
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Plant Extracts
  • Cyclophosphamide