Effects of Green cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton) and its combination with cyclophosphamide on Ehrlich solid tumors

Abstract

Background Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) is a spice and exhibits potent antioxidant and biological activities through distinct molecular mechanisms. However, the anticancer effect of cardamom was not explored yet in Ehrlich solid tumor (EST)-bearing mice. Objectives This investigation was aimed to evaluate the anti-cancer effects of green cardamom (GCar) alone or combined with the anti-cancer drug cyclophosphamide in an in vivo model to explore its mechanistic role in tumor cell death in EST-bearing mice. Methods Ehrlich ascites tumor cells were injected in the mice and 5 days later the animals treated with GCar and/or cyclophosphamide for 10 days. Twenty-four hours from the last treatment, animals were sacrificed for the different measurements. Results Data recorded for tumor size, percentage of tumor growth inhibition, tumor growth delay and mean survival time of EST-bearing mice demonstrated the effective role of GCar alone or combined with CPO as a promising anti-cancer agent because it reduced tumor size. GCar elevated the mean survival time of EST-bearing mice compared to that of untreated EST and EST + CPO groups. Analysis of qPCR mRNA gene and protein expression revealed that GCar alone or combined with CPO were promising anticancer agents. After the treatment of EST with GCar, the apoptotic-related genes and proteins were significantly modulated. GCar induced markedly significant decreases in oxidative stress biomarkers and a significant increment in glutathione levels and that of antioxidant enzymes. With a marked diminish in liver and kidney function biomarkers. Conclusion The results revealed that GCar could serve as an apoptotic stimulator agent, presenting a novel and potentially curative approach for cancer treatment, inducing fewer side effects than those of the commercially used anti-cancer drugs, such as CPO.

Anti-inflammatory and cytotoxicity assay of Cardamom-based nutraceuticals in comparison with 1,8 -Cineol

“…RAW 264.7 cells are treated with LPS, 1, 8-Cineol, and Recovereez as described above and the generated NO is quantified as nitrite using Griess assay. NO production is decreased at a concentration of 100 µg/ml by 193 µg/ml and 209.55 µg/ml by Recovereez and 1,8 -Cineol, respectively (Fig 4). There is a decrease in the production of NO as the concentration of Recovereez and 1, 8-Cineol are increased.…”

“…The World Health Organization (WHO) promotes the use of plants with scientific research for the therapy of systemic diseases 3 . Cardamom extracts are acknowledged for their strong antioxidant properties and as targets for important molecular mechanisms in natural and synthetic medicines 4 . One such therapeutically important phyto-compound is 1,8-Cineol and cardamom acts as a good source of 1,8-Cineol.…”

Hepatoprotective effect of taxifolin on cyclophosphamide-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in mice: Involvement of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling

“…It is worth mentioning that several studies indicated that potent antioxidant approaches, which decrease the CP and other chemotherapy-induced tissue damage, do not interfere with their antitumor activity [62][63][64][65]. For instance, one of the clinically approved agents for the prevention of doxorubicin-induced cardiac injury, the iron-chelating agent dexrazoxane, is considered a powerful antioxidant [66].…”

Antitumor Effect of Açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) Seed Extract in LNCaP Cells and in the Solid Ehrlich Carcinoma Model

“…Cyclophosphamide is a drug that reduces the risk of recurrence and mortality in early breast cancer [41]. Although the use of cyclophosphamide in vitro would be unfeasible, since its action depends on a primary conversion that occurs in the liver [42], it modulates inflammation and the immune response in the Ehrlich model, and is used as a reference drug in in vivo breast cancer experimental models [20,[43][44][45].…”