December 2002

Effects of a high molecular mass Convolvulus arvensis extract on tumor growth and angiogenesis.

Journal Citation

P R Health Sci J. 2002 Dec;21(4):323-8

Authors

Meng XL, Riordan NH, Casciari JJ, Zhu Y, Zhong J, González MJ, Miranda-Massari JR, Riordan HD.

Abstract

Background: Plant materials represent promising sources of anti-cancer agents. We developed and tested a novel extract from the ubiquitous plant Convolvulus arvensis. Materials and methods: Convolvulus arvensis components were extracted in boiling water, and small molecules were removed by high-pressure filtration. The extract’s biological activity was assessed by measuring its effects on S-180 fibrosarcoma growth in Kun Ming mice and on heparin-induced angiogenesis in chick embryos. We also examined the extract’s effects on lymphocytes ex vivo and tumor cell growth in vitro.Results: The extract (primarily proteins and polysaccharides) inhibited tumor growth in a dose-dependent fashion when administered orally. At the highest dose tested, 200 mg/kg/day, tumor growth was inhibited by roughly seventy percent. Subcutaneous or intraperitoneal administration at 50 mg/kg/day also inhibited tumor growth by over seventy percent. The extract’s acute LD50 in Kun Ming mice was 500 mg/kg/day when injected, indicating that tumor growth inhibition occurred at non-toxic doses. It inhibited angiogenesis in chick embryos, improved lymphocyte survival ex vivo, and enhanced yeast phagocytosis, but did not kill tumor cells in culture. Conclusion: High molecular mass extract deserves further study as an anti-cancer agent.

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