Lack of Modifying Effect of Arctiin on ENU-Induced Uterine Carcinogenesis in ICR Mice

The present study was performed to investigate the modifying effects of arctiin, a plant lignan isolated from Arctium lappa (burdock) seeds, on uterine carcinogenesis induced by N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) initiation in mice. Female ICR mice aged 5 weeks were administered a single intra-uterine injection of ENU at a dose of 50 mg/kg via the vagina. After 1 week, the animals were fed a soybean-free diet containing 0 (control), 0.004, 0.02 and 0.1% of arctiin for 26 weeks. Histopathological examinations revealed the development of uterine proliferative lesions such as adenocarcinoma, atypical hyperplasia, adenomyosis, and endometrial hyperplasia. However, there were no significant differences in the incidences and severities of these lesions among the groups. These results indicate that arctiin showed no definite modifying effects on uterine carcinogenesis under the present experimental conditions.