Effect of aged garlic extract on immune responses to experimental fibrosarcoma tumor in BALB/c mice

BACKGROUND: Aged garlic extract (AGE) has many biological activities including radical scavenging, antioxidative and immunomodulative effects. AIM: In this research work, the antitumor and immunomodulatory effects of AGE against fibrosarcoma implanted tumor were studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: WEHI-164 fibrosarcoma cells were implanted subcutaneously on day 0 into the right flank of 40 BALB/c mice at age of 8 weeks. Mice were randomly categorized in two separate groups: First received AGE (100 mg/kg, IP), second group as the control group received phosphate buffered saline. Treatments were carried out 3 times/week. Tumor growth was measured and morbidity was recorded. Subpopulations of CD4+/CD8+ T cells were determined using flow cytometry. WEHI-164 cell specific cytotoxicity of splenocytes and in vitro production of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-4 cytokines were measured. RESULTS: The mice received AGE had significantly longer survival time compared with the control mice. The inhibitory effect on tumor growth was seen in AGE treated mice. The CD4+/CD8+ ratio and in vitro IFN-gamma production of splenocytes were significantly increased in AGE group. WEHI-164 specific cytotoxicity of splenocytes from AGE mice was also significantly increased at 25: 1 E: T ratio. CONCLUSION: Administration of AGE resulted in improved immune responses against experimentally implanted fibrosarcoma tumors in BALB/c mice. AGE showed significant effects on inhibition of tumor growth and longevity of survival times.