Abstract
Background: Adlay (Coix lacryma-jobi L. var. ma-yuen Stapf) has been used both in traditional Chinese medicine and as a nourishing food based on its unique biological effects and highly nutritional values. In the present study, we investigated the anti-tumor effect of a hot-water adlay extract in sarcoma mice model.
Materials and Methods: The hot water extract of whole adlay was orally administered to mice for one week, after which Sarcoma-180 cells (1×106) were subcutaneously implanted into the abdomen. Thereafter, the tumor growth was monitored and mouse survival was examined.
Results: Tumor weights measured at 18 days were significantly lower in mice treated with extract (100 and 300 mg/kg/day) than those in control group (p<0.01). Moreover, mice treated with extract (100 mg/kg/day) showed apparently longer survival than control group evaluated until 32 days (p<0.05).
Conclusion: These findings indicate that hot water adlay extract appears to have some anti-tumor effects in vivo in
sarcoma cells.