DOES THE UKRAIN PREPARATION PROTECT MICE AGAINST LETHAL DOSES OF BACTERIA

Ukrain, a semi-synthetic preparation obtained from Chelidonium majus L ., is used in the treatment of cancer diseases. It has been observed t o exert a protective influence in mice infected by influenza viruses. Recently the influence of the preparation on the survival of mice infe cted by lethal doses of E. coli and S. aureus has been estimated This preparation was administered to Balb/c mice subcutaneosly in doses of 0.04, 0.4 and 4.0 mg/kg of body weight. Ukrain was given every second day during 20 days, or a short-term before-and-after method at 48, 24 and 2 h before the infection and or 2, 24 and 48 h after the infection of mice. The mice were infected intraperitoneally with E. coli or S. aureus in doses equivalent to 2LD(50). Increased survival of mice, dep ending on the dose of the preparation and the kind of infecting bacter ium, was observed The highest survival (50%) occurred in mice infected with E. coil and receiving the amount of the preparation correspondin g to 0.4 mg/kg. The lowest survival was observed in mice infected by S . aureus and receiving the preparation in the amount of 4.0 mg/kg. Hig her protective effectiveness of the Ukrain preparation was observed in mice when the preparation had been administered during 20 days as com pared to the short-term before-and-after regime.