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

• Grant number: 12/50453-9
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants - Publications - Scientific journal
• Start date: July 01, 2012
• End date: December 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry
• Principal Investigator: Hiroshi Aoyama
• Grantee: Hiroshi Aoyama
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The flavonoid naringin is a polyphenolic compound that naturally occurs in citrus. Patients with câncer generally presente features of malnutrition and cachexia. Levels of the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis fator α (TNF- α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are raised in patients with câncer. This study was designed to analyze an in vivo effect of naringin in the therapeutic treatment of rats bearing Walker 256 carcinosarcoma (W256). Rats were treated intraperiotonelly with different doses of naringin (10, 25 and 35mg/kg), for 50 days. 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 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. (AU)