Inhibition effect of procyanidins from lotus seedpod on mouse B16 melanoma in vivo and in vitro

Significant growth inhibition effects of procyanidins from lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) seedpod (LSPCs) on mouse melanoma B16 were found both in vivo and in vitro. In vivo treatment with LSPCs inhibited tumour growth in C57BL/6 J mice by 55.3% in terms of average tumour weight. LSPCs can significantly (P < 0.05) decrease lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels and increase the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in liver tissue. In vitro assay of anti-cancer activities suggested that LSPCs (25–100 μg/ml) possessed cytotoxicities against mouse melanoma B16 in a dose-dependent mode. Furthermore, LSPCs had significant (P < 0.05) stimulatory effects on mouse splenocyte proliferation. The prevention of tumour growth was exerted through diverse mechanisms, including cell-cycle arrest, induction of tumour cell death by apoptosis and increase of Ca2+ ions, together with stimulation of antioxidant enzyme activities and immunomodulatory activities.