Suppressive Effect of Curcuma Zedoaria Roscoe on Pulmonary Metastasis of B16 Melanoma Cells

Objective: We examined the antimetastatic effect of Curcuma zedoaria Roscoe (CZ) on pulmonary metastasis of B 16 cells. Methods: For 6 weeks, Zedoariae Rhizoma made from dried CZ were dissolved in distilled water and administered to mice 2 weeks before they were injected with B]6 melanoma cells. Mice were given CZ at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg, and were compared for lung weight, survival days, and NO production. Results: Intake of CZ throughout the experiment extended the average survival time. Intake after B16 cell injection slightly prolonged survival time, but intake before B]6 cell injection did not influence life span. We examined the effect of CZ on macrophage function by measuring NO production. After the macrophages were given CZ for 6 weeks, the amount of NO generated by the macrophages stimulated with LPS in culture medium increased. NO generated by the macrophages also served as a cytotoxic factor against B16 melanoma cells. B16 melanoma-conditioned medium reduced NO production by macrophages. However, CZ treatment reversed the reduction in NO production by the conditioned medium significantly. Conclusion : These findings may suggest that macrophage function-modulating activity by CZ appears to underlie its antimetastatic activity, which leads to a decrease in the number of lung metastatic surface nodules and the extension of life span.