EFFECTS OF POLYSACCHARIDES FROM JAMBO FRUIT ON SOLID EHRLICH TUMOR MODEL IN MICE

Abstract

Cancer treatment often involves drugs with high toxicity. Therefore, there is a search for therapies with fewer side effects. Among the compounds studied, polysaccharides from plants stand out as antioxidants and antitumor agents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vivo antitumor effects of jambo polysaccharides (Syzygium jambos (L.) Alston) and their association with a standard treatment (methotrexate) using the solid Ehrlich tumour in mice. The groups of mice inoculated with tumor cells were: I) Negative control (distilled water), II) PJ100 (jambo polysaccharides, 100 mg/kg), III) PJ150, IV) MTX 1.5 mg/kg), VI) Positive control (MTX higher dose – 2.5 mg/kg) and VII) PJ250 + MTX  2.5 mg/kg. PJ treatment caused a reduction in tumour weight, mainly with PJ250 (‑45%), similar to the inhibition caused by MTX (‑43%), whereas PJ + MTX association did not potentiate this inhibition. In the tumour tissue, PJ reduced the levels of inflammatory parameters concerning the negative control, but the reduction was not dose‑dependent. PJ increased the activity of tumour superoxide dismutase and did not cause haematological changes. PJ did not cause significant damage to the liver, the target organ of drug toxicity. In conclusion, PJ reduced the growth of Ehrlich tumour, probably by modulating the inflammatory process in the tumour microenvironment. This preliminary study evidenced the adjuvant potential of PJ in chemotherapies. Thus, its effects should be investigated in other tumour models and cells.