Anticancer effect of Kalpaamruthaa on mammary carcinoma in rats with reference to glycoprotein components, lysosomal and marker enzymes.

A promising approach to reduce the occurrence of cancer is its treatment, specifically by chemical intervention through minor dietary constituents. Epidemiological studies suggest that specific pharmacologically active agents present in the diet might reduce cancer. A remarkable surge of interest in chemoprevention research has, thus, lead to the identification of many phytochemicals of dietary origin as effective potential chemotherapeutic agents. In the present investigation, attempt has been made to study the potency of Kalpaamruthaa (KA), a herbal preparation, against cancer. The changes in level of glycoprotein components, marker enzymes and lysosomal enzymes were carried out in 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) induced Sprague-Dawley rats. The changes in the body weights and volume were also determined. KA was administered at the dosage level of 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 mg/kg body weight (BW) in olive oil orally for 14 d, after the induction period is completed (90 d). On administration of KA, the levels of the above enzymes and the changes in the body weights and volume were significantly normalized in a dose dependent manner. The present study shows that KA is effective at the dosage level of 300 mg/kg body weight in mammary carcinoma bearing rats.