Browsing by Author "Tammitiyagodage, M.G."

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2

An Investigation of the toxic effects of a herbal formulation with anti-carcinogenic properties
(University of Colombo, 2005) Iddamaldeniya, S.; Wickremasinghe, S.M.D.N.; Thabrew, M.I.; Ratnatunga, N.; Tammitiyagodage, M.G.
A decoction prepared from a mixture of Nigelld sativa seeds, Hemidesmus indicus root, and Smilax glabra rhizome used by some traditional medical practitioners in Sri Lanka is considered to be useful for the treatment of cancer patients. However, there is a lack of information about any adverse effects of this decoction. Experiments were carried out using Wistar rats and ICR mice as the experimental model, to evaluate any adverse effects mediated by the above decoction. Results of the investigations showed that administration of the decoction (at doses of 4g/kg body weight/day and 6g/kg body weight/day) to rats for three months had no adverse effects on the liver functions (as assessed by its effects on serum levels of alanine and aspartate aminotrans ferase and alkaline phosphatase) or haematological parameters (red blood cell count, white blood cell count, haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration). No significant pathological changes were observed in sections of the major body organs (liver, heart, lungs, stomach, duodenum and kidney) of animals treated with the decoction for three months. The investigations also demonstrated that the decoction did not have anti-ovulatory, an ti-implantation, spermicidal activity. An attempt to determine the LD50 concentration was unsuccessful. Even at a dose equivalent to 40 times (240g/kg/day) the normal therapeutic dose (6g/kg/day), no mortality or other toxic symptoms (loss of consciousness, salivation, muscle tremor, incoordination, hyperaesthesia, polyuria, anuria, polydipsea, defecation, piloerection, changes in locomotor activity, changes in posture, ataxia and loss of reflexes) were observed. Three month treatment with the decoction also did not produce any changes in average feed consumption, average body weight: liver weight ratios, or the general behaviour of the animals.
Protection against diethylnitrosamine induced hepatocarcinogenecity by an indigenous herbal remedy comprised of Nigella sativa, Hemidesmus indicus and Simlax glabra: a preliminary study
(Medknow Publications, 2003) Iddamaldeniya, S.S.; Wickremasinghe, S.M.D.N.; Thabrew, M.I.; Ranatunge, N.; Tammitiyagodage, M.G.
BBACKGROUND: A decoction comprised of Nigella sativa seeds, Hemidesmus indicus root and Smilax glabra rhizome is used to treat cancer patients in Sri Lanka. However, the anti-carcinogenic properties of this decoction have not been experimentally confirmed. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the above decoction could protect against chemically induce hepatocarcinogenesis. METHODS: The effects of this decoction on diethylnitrosamine (DEN) induced hepatocarcinogenesis were examined in male Wistar rats using the medium term bioassay system of Ito, based on a 2-step model of hepatocarcinogenesis. Rats were randomly divided into 6 groups of 10 each. Groups 1 to 4 were injected with DEN (200 mg/kg) to initiate carcinogenesis. Twenty-four hours later groups 1 and 2 were administered the decoction at 4 g/kg body weight/day (dose 1) and 6 g/kg body weight/day (dose 2), respectively. Group 3 and group 4 were given distilled water instead of the decoction and a suspension of garlic powder (20 g/kg body weight/day) in distilled water (positive control), respectively. Group 5 and 6 were injected with normal saline and twenty-four hours later group 5 was given distilled water (normal control) while group 6 was given decoction dose 2 (decoction control). Oral feeding continued for two weeks after which all rats were subjected to 2/3 partial hepatectomy to promote carcinogenesis. Oral feeding continued for eight more weeks. At the end of the 10th week, rats were sacrificed and samples of livers taken for immunohistochemical studies. Carcinogenic potential was scored by comparing the number, area and staining intensity of glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P) positive foci and the number of cells/cm2 of the positive foci in the livers of the six groups of rats. RESULTS: The number and area of DEN-mediated GST-P positive foci, number of cells/cm2 of foci and staining intensity of the foci were significantly (P > 0.001) reduced by the decoction and garlic in the order dose 2 = garlic >dose 1. CONCLUSION: Overall results indicate that the decoction comprised of N. sativa, S. glabra and H. indicus has the potential to protect rat liver against DEN induced hepatocarcinogenesiss