Inhibitory effect of Greenland shark liver oil combined with squalen and arctic birch ashes on angiogenesis and L-1 sarcoma growth in Balb/c mice

Pol J Vet Sci. 2003;6(3 Suppl):54-6.

Abstract

Sharks have been claimed to be resistant to cancer and oil from their livers have been used in Scandinavian folk medicine as anti-tumor drug. Shark liver oil contains 40% or more of squalene. Fish liver oil is also rich in squalene and polyunsaturated n-3 fatty acids. The aim of this work was to determine the anti-angiogenic and anti-tumor effects of these substances, together with another Scandinavian traditional remedy--arctic birch ashes--in Balb/c mice after transplantation of syngeneic L-1 sarcoma. All substances tested, alone or in combinations, significantly diminished cutaneous angiogenesis induced by tumor cells, and tumor growth.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Betula*
  • Cell Line, Tumor / drug effects
  • Fish Oils / administration & dosage*
  • Fish Oils / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / pathology
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / prevention & control*
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Plant Extracts / administration & dosage*
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use
  • Sarcoma, Experimental / pathology
  • Sarcoma, Experimental / prevention & control
  • Sharks
  • Skin / blood supply*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Fish Oils
  • Plant Extracts