Abstract

The present study focused on evaluating the effect of chitosan copper complex (1 g chitosan, 2% acetic acid and 3.51% copper) at a dose of 200 mg/kg on tumour growth, as well as the metabolic impact induced by Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) inoculation in female mice. After 23 days of oral administration of the selected chitosan copper complex, the tumour size was measured. Also, serum and liver samples were obtained for different flow cytometeric and biochemical analyses. The present results revealed that EAC inoculation (0.2 x 106 cells) caused an imbalance that was reflected in all the measurements associated with a marked increase in tumour size, high activity of arginase, α L- Fucosidase and Bcl2. These effects coincided with a decrease in the level of P53 and G0/1 with an increase in the level of G2/m, S and apoptosis. The tumour induced an increase in the level of MDA accompanied by a decrease in the level of total antioxidant activity, GSH and the serum levels of Na and Fe with increase levels of K and Ca. Interestingly, treatment with the chitosan copper complex induced significant reduction in the tumour size and a marked improvement in most of the biochemical parameters .This study highlighted the potential effectiveness of the chitosan copper complex as anti-tumour agent through antioxidant effect.

Key words: Chitosan Copper Complex, Ehrlich ascites, carcinoma, Antioxidant