Effects of Astragali Radix Extract on Carcinogenesis, Cytokine Production, and Cytotoxicity in Mice Treated with a Carcinogen, N-Butyl-N-butanolnitrosoamine

Abstract

We studied the effects of astragali radix extract, a Chinese herb and one of eight components in Shikaron, on carcinogenesis, natural killer (NK) cell activity, and the cytokine production of lymphocytes in mice treated with a carcinogen, N-butyl-N'-butanolnitrosoamine (BBN). We found a significantly lower incidence of urinary bladder carcinoma in mice treated with BBN plus 10 mg/kg/day or more of Astragalus extract (7, 2, and 3 mice among 15 mice in 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg/day group, respectively, vs. 14 of 15 mice treated with BBN alone). Astragalus extract prevented the cytotoxic activity of lymphocytes against YAC-1 cells from the depression by BBN. It also protected the production of interleukin-2 and γ-interferon of lymphocytes from the depression by BBN. These results, including our previous findings, suggest that the Astragalus extract exerts an anticarcinogenie effect in carcinogentreated mice through activation of cytotoxic activity and the production of cytokines.