OLDENLANDIA-DIFFUSA AND SCUTELLARIA-BARBATA AUGMENT MACROPHAGE OXIDATIVE BURST AND INHIBIT TUMOR-GROWTH

Oldenlandia diffusa (OD) and Scutellaria barbata (SE) have been used i n traditional Chinese medicine for treating liver, lung and rectal tum ors. In this study we determined the effects of these phytochemicals o n oxidative burst as an indicator of phagocytic function in a murine m acrophage cell line J774 using an automated micro-fluorometric assay. A dose-dependent augmentation of oxidative burst was observed with OD as well as SE. The effect of OD and SE on the growth of a murine renal cell carcinoma (Renca) was also determined. Balb/c mice were transpla nted subcutaneously with 1 x 10(5) Renca cells and were randomized int o groups of 10 to receive oral feeding of OD (4 mg/day), SE (4 mg/day) , or saline as control. Oral feeding with either OD or SE significantl y inhibited the growth of Renca in mice. The data of this study show t hat OD and SE are capable of enhancing macrophage function in vitro an d inhibiting tumor growth in vivo.