Background: Neem (Azadirachta indica) is widely regarded as a wonder tree because of its diverse medicinal applications. We investigated the ability of neem leaf preparation (NLP) to protect against apoptosis of circulating blood cells induced by cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (cis + 5-FU) in carcinoma-bearing mice.
Methods: Apoptosis was studied by annexin V-propidium iodide method. Total white blood cell count was performed using 3% glacial acetic acid on hemocytometer. Cytotoxicity was determined by LDH release assay and T/NK cell status was determined by flow cytometry.
Results: In comparison to untreated control, during cis + 5-FU therapy, significant down-regulation of leukocyte apoptosis was noted in mice pretreated with NLP or granulocyte colony stimulating factor (GCSF) during cis + 5-FU therapy. This enhanced cytotoxicity may be associated with NLP-induced increase of the cytotoxic T and NK cell pool.
Conclusions: Efficacy of NLP is comparable to GCSF in its ability to protect against leukocyte apoptosis induced by cis + 5-FU. NLP would be a better choice of treatment because GCSF is tumor promoting, angiogenic and expensive.
Copyright 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.