Aquoeus Extract from Rhubarb Plant Inhibits Adenosine Deaminase Activity in Cancerous and Non Cancerous Human Gastric and Colon Tissues

Aim: Investigation of possible effects of rhubarb extract on adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity in cancerous and non cancerous human gastric and colon tissues to obtain information about possible mechanism of anti cancer action of rhubarb. Materials and methods: Cancerous and non cancerous human gastric and colon tissues removed from patients by surgical operations were used in the studies. The extracts were prepared in distilled water. Before and after treatment with the extracts, ADA activities in the tissue homogenates were measured. Results: ADA activity was found to be higher in gastric tissue compared with colon tissue, but no differences were found between ADA activities of cancerous and non cancerous tissues. It was found that rhubarb extract significantly inhibited ADA activity both in cancerous and non cancerous gastric and colon tissues. Conclusion: Our results suggest that aquoeus extract from rhubarb inhibits ADA activities in both gastric and colon tissues significantly. It is suggested that in addition to other proposed mechanisms, acumulated adenosine due to the inhibition of ADA enzyme might also play part in the anticancer properties of the rhubarb.