Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential role of Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA1), isolated from faecal samples of breast-fed Egyptian infants (15-90 days), and its exopolysaccharides (EPS), with regard to antitumour activity in vivo against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells. L. acidophilus demonstrated antioxidant properties by suppression of malondialdehyde and nitric oxide serum levels. Also, the EPS showed a powerful antitumour effect based on the obtained results from liver function tests, such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and albumin concentration than positive control and toward the normal values, when compared with a positive control. The kidney function of the treated and non-treated groups was not affected and there were no significant differences between the negative control and the treated groups. There was a marked suppression of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzymes in groups treated with LA1 and its EPS.