Phyllanthus amarus extract administration increases the life span of rats with hepatocellular carcinoma

The effect of Phyllanthus amar us extract administration after induction of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) was studied in Wistar rats. Administration of an aqueous extract of P. amarus was foun d to significantly increase the survival of hepatocellular carcinoma harbor ing animals. All the untreated rats died of tumour burden by 33.7 +/- 1.6 w eeks. Administration of P. amarus extract (150 mg/kg b.w.) after tumour dev elopment increased the survival of animals to an average of 52.2 +/- 2.3 we eks. Serum gamma -glutamyl transpeptidase activity which was elevated to 18 2 +/- 23 U/l by NDEA administration was lowered to 112 +/- 19 U/l by the ad ministration of P. amarus extract. Similarly elevated glutathione S-transfe rase activity (1534 +/- 116 nmol/min per mg protein) and glutathione (20.5 +/- 2.4 nmol/mg protein) levels in the NDEA administered group were found t o be lowered to 1112 +/- 89 nmol/min per mg protein and 14.2 +/- 2.2 nmol/m g protein respectively. P. amarus administration was found to be ineffectiv e in controlling the liver weight, elevation of tissue gamma -glutamyl tran speptidase: serum alkaline phosphatase and serum glutamate pyruvate transam inase of HCC harboring animals. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.