Abstract
The antitumor activity of Juemingzi (Cassia tora L.) was investigated in mice that were fed various concentrations of the compound. Although mice fed a low concentration (50 mg/kg b.w.) of Juemingzi exhibited a high tumor weight, the higher feeding concentrations (100 and 200 mg/kg b.w.) were associated with lower weight tumors. The growth rate of mouse splenocytes that were treated with 200 mg/kg b.w. Juemingzi was determined using a 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. This rate of proliferation was higher than that achieved with 100 and 50 mg/kg b.w. Juemingzi treatment by fetal bovine serum, lipopolysaccharide or concanavalin A. Compared with the lower concentrations of Juemingzi treatment, 200 mg/kg b.w. Juemingzi significantly (P<0.05) reduced aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase and blood urea nitrogen levels. A high concentration of Juemingzi (200 mg/kg b.w.) significantly (P<0.05) increased the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β cytokines compared with those of the mice that were treated with 100 and 50 mg/kg b.w. Juemingzi.