Effect of Muthu Marunthu (a Herbal Formulation) on the Altered Antioxidant Status in Experimental Fibrosarcoma in Rats

Muthu Marunthu, a herbal formulation, was used to study its anticancer effect on 3-methylcholanthrene-induced fibrosarcoma in rats. The effects of Muthu Marunthu on the tumor weight, on the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT), and on the levels of lipid peroxide and glutathione (GSH) of liver and kidney were studied in the fibrosarcoma-bearing rats. The tumor weight was found to be reduced by the Muthu Marunthu treatment. In liver and kidney, the level of GSH and the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as GSH-Px, SOD, and CAT were decreased significantly, whereas the lipid peroxide content was increased significantly in fibrosarcoma rats. After Muthu Marunthu treatment, the GSH content and the activities of antioxidant enzymes were increased significantly with a concomitant decrease in the level of lipid peroxide. These observations clearly suggest that Muthu Marunthu can effectively normalize the fibrosarcoma-induced alterations to the antioxidant defense systems.