Studies on high-dose chemotherapy of amygdalin in murine P388 lymphocytic leukaemia and P815 mast cell leukaemia

The Combination of Amygdalin with Some Anticancer, Antiparasitic, and Antigout Drugs Against MG63, Saos2, SW1353, and FL Cells In Vitro

Osteosarcoma has a poor prognosis and survival rate due to inadequate chemotherapy, high recurrence ability, high metastasis potential, and almost no radiotherapy being applied. One of the strategies to solve these problems is to develop the pharmacologically active plant metabolite, amygdalin, in combination therapeutic systems. In this project, the antiproliferative effects of amygdalin alone and in binary or ternary combinations with some anticancer drugs (cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, and camptothecin), antiparasitic drugs (metronidazole and miltefosine), and an antigout drug (colchicine) were examined using human bone osteosarcoma cell lines (MG-63 and Saos2), the chondrosarcoma cell line (SW1353), and the normal human cell line (FL). Known half-maximal inhibitory concentration values of the drugs were taken into consideration, and the recommended combination ratios were used in the Chou-Talalay method. The strong synergistic effect commonly seen in the combination of amygdalin with miltefosine, metronidazole, camptothecin, colchicine, oxaliplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and cisplatin dual drug indicates that these combinations can be used in cancer treatment. The synergistic effect caused by amygdalin decreases toxicity by increasing drug yield. However, amygdalin antagonism seen in several combinations may prevent these pairs from being used together. In combination with antagonistic effects, it may be preferable to use amygdalin alone as it generally causes strong antiproliferative effects. Besides, there is a more potent synergism between amygdalin and triple drug combinations. Overall, these results emphasize that amygdalin combinations in treatment of bone cancer are significant.

Amygdalin, quackery or cure?

BACKGROUND

The cyanogenic diglucoside, amygdalin, has gained high popularity among cancer patients together with, or in place of, conventional therapy. Still, evidence based research on amygdalin is sparse and its benefit controversial.

PURPOSE

Since so many cancer patients consume amygdalin, and many clinicians administer it without clear knowledge of its mode of action, current knowledge has been summarized and the pros and cons of its use weighed.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted for amygdalin relevant reports using the PubMed database with the main search term "Amygdalin" or "laetrile", at times combined with "cancer", "patient", "cyanide" or "toxic". We did not exclude any "unwanted" articles. Additionally, internet sources authorized by governmental or national institutions have also been included.

SECTIONS

Individual chapters summarize pharmacokinetics, preclinical and clinical studies and toxicity.

CONCLUSION

No convincing evidence showing that amygdalin induces rapid, distinct tumor regression in cancer patients, particularly in those with late-stage disease, is apparent. However, there is also no evidence that purified amygdalin, administered in "therapeutic" dosage, causes toxicity. Multiple aspects of amygdalin administration have not yet been adequately explored, making further investigation necessary to evaluate its actual therapeutic potential.