Direct antitumor effect of cepharanthin and combined effect with adriamycin against Ehrlich ascites tumor in mice.

Direct antitumor effect of cepharanthin (CEP) and the combined effect with adriamycin (ADR), as well as the effect of CEP against body weight loss caused by treatment of ADR were evaluated using ICR mice bearing Ehrlich ascites tumor. Single administration of CEP reduced tumor growth compared to that of the untreated control, but not significantly. However, multiple administration of CEP reduced the tumor growth significantly compared to that of the untreated control (p < 0.001). Simultaneous administration of intratumoral CEP and intravenous ADR reduced the tumor growth significantly compared to that of ADR alone (p < 0.05). Further, CEP restored body weight loss caused by the treatment of ADR (p < 0.01). These findings indicate that the combined administration of CEP and ADR may be effective in cancer treatment.