Dietary Supplementation of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera, Dunal) Enhances NK Cell Function in Ovarian Tumors in the Laying Hen Model of Spontaneous Ovarian Cancer

• Published in: American journal of reproductive immunology (1989) 2013-12, Vol.70 (6), p.538-550
• Main Authors: Barua, Animesh, Bradaric, Michael J., Bitterman, Pincas, Abramowicz, Jacques S., Sharma, Sameer, Basu, Sanjib, Lopez, Heather, Bahr, Janice M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Chickens - immunology; Dietary supplement; Dietary Supplements; Disease Models, Animal; Disease Progression; Female; immune response; Killer Cells, Natural - drug effects; Killer Cells, Natural - immunology; NK cells; Ovarian cancer; Ovarian Neoplasms - diet therapy; Ovarian Neoplasms - immunology; Ovarian Neoplasms - pathology; Plant Extracts - chemistry; Poultry Diseases - diet therapy; Poultry Diseases - immunology; Poultry Diseases - pathology; prevention; spontaneous animal model
• ISSN: 1046-7408; 1600-0897
• DOI: 10.1111/aji.12172

Problem Ovarian cancer (OVCA) disseminates in a distinct pattern through peritoneal metastasis and little is known about the immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment. Our goal was to determine changes in NK cell population during OVCA development and the effects of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera, Dunal) supplementation on NK cell localization in laying hens with OVCA. Methods Frequency of NK cells in ovarian tumors at early and late stages in 3‐ to 4‐year‐old hens (exploratory study) as well as in hens supplemented with dietary Ashwagandha root powder for 90 days (prospective study) was examined. Results The population of stromal NK cells but not the intratumoral NK cells increased with OVCA development and progression. Ashwagandha supplementation decreased the incidence and progression of OVCA. Both the stromal and intratumoral NK cell population increased significantly (P