Abstract

CYTOTOXICITY AND SOME IMMUNE CELLS STIMULATION EFFECTS OF LOCAL SUMAC (RHUS CORARIA) ON CANCER CELLS AND MICE

*Ashwaq A. Kadhem

Abstract

The present study was conducted to investigate the in vitro cytotoxic effects of sumac extract against two human cancer cell lines, Hep2 (Human larynx epidermoid carcinoma), RD (Rabdomyosarcoma), and one normal cell line Ref (Rat embryonic fibroblast). Dried sumac fruits were extracted in 80% ethanol. The absence of couumarins. The cancer and normal cells were treated with different concentrations of sumac extract ranging from 0.244 μg/ml to 7.81 μg/ml), then incubated for additional 48h at . Cancer and normal cell lines elucidate various degree of sensitivity to the cytotoxic effects of sumac extract. The results illustrated that after 48h of exposure, cells showed highest toxicity (80.28%) of the ethanol extract on RD moderate cytotoxicity (52.64%) on Hep2 and slight toxicity (37.158%) on normal cell line (Ref) in a concentration (1.953μg/ml). The study was expanded to include the effects on some immune cells in some organs (liver, spleen, and small intestine). Three groups of mice (six animals each) were ingested sumac extract in different concentrations (0.825, 1.65, and 3.3 mg/kg. of animal body weight).The study showed immune cell (mononuclear and lymphocyte) stimulation effects of the extract in all organs. Microscopically changes in the tissue structure of these organs were observed. Liver showed necrosis increase as the time of exposure and the concentrations increase. Changes in the red pulp and white pulp were observed in spleen, while the small intestine revealed mild atrophy of villi and infiltration of mononuclear cells. These effects were increased as the concentrations of the extract and the time of exposure increased.

Keywords: liver, spleen, and small intestine.