Effects of Gold Banded Lily (Lilium auratum Lindl) or Chinese Milk Vetch (Astragalus sinicus L) on spontaneous mammary tumourigenesis in SHN mice

Some guanidino compounds have been found to inhibit spontaneous mammary tum ourigenesis in mice. In the present study, the effects of chronic treatment with Gold Banded Lily (Lilium auratum Lindl) or Chinese Milk Vetch (Astrag alus sinicus L), which contains L-arginine or L-canavanine, on spontaneous mammary tumourigenesis were examined in SHN mice. Free access to drinking w ater containing hot water extract of each natural product at a concentratio n of 0.5 % significantly inhibited the development, but not growth, of mamm ary tumour. The mechanism of the protective role of each natural product in mammary tumours remains to be clarified; however, there were no significan t long-term deleterious side-effects of chronic treatment with either produ ct estimating from body weight change, food and water intakes and plasma co mponent levels. Thus, the present findings suggest that these natural produ cts containing guanidino compounds may act as prophylactic agents for mamma ry and other types of tumours.