Naringin inhibits tumor growth and reduces interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor α levels in rats with Walker 256 carcinosarcoma.

The flavonoid naringin is a polyphenolic compound that naturally occurs in citrus. Patients with cancer generally present features of malnutrition and cachexia. Levels of the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are raised in patients with cancer. This study was designed to analyze the in vivo effect of naringin in the therapeutic treatment of rats bearing Walker 256 carcinosarcoma (W256). Rats were treated intraperitoneally with different doses of naringin (10, 25 and 35 mg/kg), for 50 days. At 25 mg/kg, naringin inhibited tumor growth by ~75%. With this treatment, TNF-α and IL-6 levels decreased (p<0.05) in comparison with the control. In addition, two rats presented complete tumor regression. Inhibition of tumor growth, survival increase and the reduction of TNF-α and IL-6 levels in rats bearing W256 treated with naringin strongly suggest that this compound has potential as an anticarcinogenic drug.