Triterpenoid fractions

Substances capable of interaction with ROS are claimed to play an important role in the prevention of cancer. Some compoimds of the unsaponifiable fraction from virgin oil (oleuropein, tyrosol, sterols and triterpenoids) were assayed to determine their cytostatic activity in McCoy cells (originated from synovial fluid from a patient suffering degenerative arthritis) [92]. Oleuropein and the sterol+triterpenoid fraction potently inhibited cell growth at 6 Xg/ml (83 and 89% respectively), a concentration recommended by the protocols of the National Cancer Institute of USA [93]. IC50 for oleuropein and sterol+terpenoid fraction was 4.4 and 0.11 ig/ml, respectively. Tyrosol exhibited lower inhibition IC50 was 10 pg/ml. 

The number nf leukocytes in LLC-bearing mice was significantly greater than that in normal mice. In contrast, the red cell number and hemoglobin content were significantly lower than those of normal mice Table (3) . The reduction in red cell number and hemoglobin content was prevented by orally administered triterpenoid fractions (100 or 200 mg/kg) Table (3) . 

Fig. (4). Anlimetastatic effects of triterpenoid fractions of G. lucidum in mice with inlrasplenically implanted LLC.

Table 3. Effects of triterpenoid fraction on the number of leukocytes and red cells and the hemoglobin content in mice with intrasplenically implanted l ewis lung carcinoma (LLC)1...

As shown in Fig. (5) , primary tumor cells in the spleen grew and invaded the while and red pulp of the spleen in mice with intrasplenically implanted LLC. The orally administered triterpenoid fractions (100 or 200 mg/kg) prevented the tumor growth and the invasion of the white pulp of the spleen. Furthermore, the orally administered triterpenoid fractions induced an accumulaiion of lymphocytes around tumor cells in the white pulp of the spleen Fig. (5) . The metastatic tumor cells in the liver also grew and invaded the hepatocytes in mice with intrasplenically implanted... 

LLC. The growth of the metastatic tumor cells was prevented by the orally administered triterpenoid fractions Fig. (6a) . Lymophocytes in the liver also accumulated around the metastatic tumor cells Fig. (6b) . 

Fig. (5). Histology of the inhibition of intrasplenic tumors (x 400) by triterpenoid fractions in mice with intrasplenically implanted LLC.

Table 4. Effects of triterpenoid fractions, and acidic and neutral fractions, isolated from triterpenoid fractions of Ganoderma lucidum, on angiogenesis induced by MalrigeK supplemented with VEGF and heaprin1...

Furthermore, the isolation of the active substancc(s) from the acidic fraction of the triterpenoid fractions, was performed using the Matrigel-implanted angiogenesis assay, and seven fractions were obtained from the acidic fraction by silica gel column chromatography. 

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