Preventive effect of ripe banana in the diet on Ehrlich's ascitic carcinoma cell induced malignant ascites in mice

Nitric Oxide (NO), a messenger molecule with anticancer properties is produced in the biological system by the action of various forms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) on l-arginine. Extracts of various edible fruits were tested for their effect on the stimulation of NO synthesis to determine the anticancer property of these fruits, if any, in animal model. Of all the fruit extracts tested, aqueous extract of ripe banana was found to contain the most efficient stimulator of NO synthesis in human erythrocyte membrane. It was found that daily feeding of 2 g banana/day/mouse (20-25 g weight) resulted in the prevention of development of the malignant ascites induced by Erhlich carcinoma cells in 30% of the animals that survived the carcinogenic assault when compared to appropriate control, where 100% of the animals died due to the carcinogenic challenge. (C) 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.