Stabilization of lysosomal membrane and cell membrane glycoprotein profileby Semecarpus anacardium Linn. nut milk extract in experimental hepatocellular carcinoma

Semecarpus anacardium Linn, nut milk extract administered orally at a dose of 200 mg/kg/day for 14 days exerted an in vivo stabilizing effect on lysos omal membrane and glycoprotein content in rat hepatocellular carcinoma. Thi s was demonstrated in normal rats and in animals whose biomembranes were re ndered fragile by induction of hepatocellular carcinoma with aflatoxin B-1 and subsequent treatment with Semecarpus anacardium nut extract. In this co ndition, the discharge of lysosomal enzymes increased significantly with a subsequent increase in glycoprotein components. The nut extract administrat ion reversed these adverse changes to near normal in treated animals. The p ossible reason for this reversal is discussed. Such stabilization of biomem branes by Semecarpus anacardium nut extract may have a beneficial effect in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma and other cancers involving abno rmal fragility of lysosomes and glycoprotein content providing the extract demonstrates safety in a full toxicity study, Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.