The effect of anti-cancer number one (ACNO) , a 19-herb Chinese formula used to treat cancer patients ,were study in F 344 rats . In the first study ,the number and activity of circulating NK cells were evaluated following 18 days of oral consumption of 0.1 .0.5 or 2g /kg/day.
The second study assessed the effect of ACNO on resistance to metastasis of MADB106 tumor line , Resistance to metastasis was assessed under baseline condition and following the administration of β -adrenergic agonist ,metaproterenol(MP) .MP was used to simulate sympathetic response to stressful condition ,and was previously shown to suppress resistance to MADB 106 metastasis.
The results of the first study indicated a dose-dependent increase in NKA per ml of blood and per NK cell, In the second study ,whereas MP cause a 4-5-fold increase in number of metastasis in untreated rats . only 2-3 -fold increase occurred in rats with ACNO . No significant improvement in baseline level of resistance to metastasis was observed . These finding indicate the importance of studying ACNO under stressful condition in patients with potentially metastasis tumors.
This may prove particularly important during the perioperative period , spanning from the detection of the primary tumor to postoperative treatment .During this critical period ,psychology and physiological stress responses are known to cause massive immunosuppression ,which was suggested to promote metastatic development .