Induction of hepatic tumors in rats by senkirkine and symphytine

Abstract

The carcinogenicity of the pyrrolizidine alkaloids senkirkine and symphytine was studied in male inbred ACI rats. Animals were divided into 3 groups: Group I received ip injections of freshly prepared senkirkine at a dose of 10% of the median lethal dose (LD50) twice weekly for 4 weeks and then once a week for 52 weeks. Group II received ip injections of symphytine at a dose of 10% of the LD50 by the same injection schedule as in group I. The control group was given ip injections of a 0.9% NaCl solution following the same injection schedule as in experimental groups. All group I rats survived for more than 290 days after the start of injections, and 9 of 20 rats developed liver cell adenoma. All group II animals survived for more than 330 days after the start of injections. Of 20 rats, 4 had liver tumors, 3 had hemangioendothelial sarcomas, and 1 had liver cell adenoma. The hemangioendothelial sarcomas showed metastasis in the lungs of 2 rats. The control group had no liver tumors.