Effect of Embelin on Carbohydrate Moieties of Glycoprotein in Tumour-bearing Rats

Objective: To investigate the changes taking place in the carbohydrate moieties of the glycoprotein in plasma, liver and kidney of the tumour-bearing rats on embelin treatment. Materials and methods: Fibrosarcoma was induced to three groups of animals by injecting the tumour cell line. To two groups, embelin was administered after the tumour became palpable, in two doses (50 and 100 mg/kg) continuously, for 20 days. On 21st day, the animals were sacrificed, blood collected and liver and kidney separated. Total hexose, hexosamine and sialic acid in plasma, liver and kidney tissues were estimated. Results: In tumour-bearing control animals, the above parameters in plasma, liver and kidney tissues were elevated. Continuous administration of embelin lowered these values to near normal. Conclusion: Embelin significantly reversed the elevated levels of carbohydrate moieties of glycoprotein in tumour-bearing rats. This further supports the anti-tumour property of embelin.