Effect of Abrus precatorius L. on experimental tumors.

A protein extract isolated from the seeds of Abrus preca torius L. is shown to exhibit antitumor activity on Yoshida sarcoma (solid and ascites forms) in rats and a fibrosarcoma in mice. The intraperitoneal route of administration is more ef fective than subcutaneous injections. The extract has a direct cytotoxic effect on the tumor cells. Vacuolation and disrup tion of cytoplasm accompanied by karyolysis and chromo somal abnormalities are seen in ascites tumor cells treated with the protein in vivo. This is also confirmed by in vitro studies. The tumor cells incubated with the extract showed cellular pathology, decreased viable cell counts, and prolongation of survival period of the tumor-transplanted animals.