Effects of the antitumor agents from various natural sources on drug-metabolizing system, phagocytic activity and complement system in sarcoma 180-bearing mice.

Correlation between antitumor activity and effects on some biological properties, such as phagocytic activity of the reticuloendothelial system, the third component of complement (C3) activation, hepatic drug-metabolizing activities and pentobarbital-induced narcosis, of antitumor agents from various natural sources such as B B (Broncasma Berna), GU-P (Grifora umbellata polysaccharide), OK-432, PS-K (Polysaccharide Kureha), and RA-P (Rumex acetosa polysaccharide) were studied with female ICR mice implanted with Sarcoma 180 solid tumor. All of these agents depressed aniline hydroxylase and aminopyrine demethylase activities, prolonged the duration of pentobarbital-induced narcosis, and significantly enhanced the phagocytic activity and C3 activity. Especially, RA-P which has the strongest antitumor activity was the most effective in changing these activities. The biological activities of GU-P at a dose of 10 mg/kg reached the same level as that found with PS-K at a dose of 100 mg/kg. a possible mechanism of inhibition of Sarcoma 180 solid tumor growth by the treatment with the antitumor agents could be interpreted as due to the C3 activation, the stimulation of phagocytic activity and depression of the hepatic microsomal drug-metabolizing system in tumor-bearing mice.