EJMS

Abstract

Hypothesis: This work aimed to study the potential modulatory effect of curcumin on the pegylated interferon- α2a effect on Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) in mice. Materials and methods: The study was performed on five groups of female swiss albino mice: negative control group, positive Control group (EAC-Cell Bearing), PEG-IFN-α-treated group (16.4 µg/Kg S.C. twice weekly), Curcumin-Treated group (50 mg/kg orally every alternate day) and combined-treated (PEG-IFN-α + Curcumin) group. The EAC cells (2.5×106 cells/mouse) were implanted (I.P.) into all the experimental mice except those in the negative control group. The treatment was started on day 2 after inoculation the animals with EAC cells and continued for 14 days. Body weight changes were recorded daily as an indirect way to evaluate the increase in the quantity of ascitic fluid (ascites tumor volume). On day 16, animals were sacrificed after the last dosage; their ascitic fluid (peritoneal fluid) was collected for counting of the total number and the percentage of viable of EAC cells. Also, determination of malondialdehyde (MDA) and Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha (TNF-α) content in the peritoneal fluid was done. Results: Animal groups treated with curcumin, PEG-IFN-α2a or both, significantly inhibited the ascites tumor volume as detected by the significant reduction in the body weight of mice in these groups. Also, total EAC cell count, percentage of viable cell counts, MDA and TNF-α levels in the peritoneal fluid were significantly reduced in the treated animals. The highest significant reduction in all parameters tested was recorded in the combined treated (PEG-IFN-α2a + curcumin) group compared to either compound alone. Conclusion: The results of the present study indicated that PEG-IFN-α2a was able to inhibit the proliferation of EAC cells in the laboratory mice. The antioxidant effect and the inhibition of TNF-α level may play an important role in its antitumor activity in EAC. Moreover, the antitumor activity of PEG-IFN-α2a was significantly increased by curcumin co-administration, further studies are essential to explore the exact molecular mechanisms of this effect.