Effects of simultaneous treatment with hydroxyapatite and coffee cherry, the residue left after the removal of coffee beans, on spontaneous mammary tumourigenesis and related parameters in SHN mice

We have found that the chronic administration of the diet containing 5% hydroxyapatite (HAP) derived from bovine or swine bone or drinking water containing 0.5% extract of coffee cherry (CC), the residue left after the removal of coffee beans, induced a marked inhibition of spontaneous mammary tumourigenesis in SHN mice, while the effects decreased with age. In the present study, the combined effects of HAP and CC on mammary tumourigenesis and related parameters were examined. The inhibitory effects of HAP or CC alone on the development and/or the growth of mammary tumours were reduced by HAP + CC. Decreased food and water intake and retarded body growth caused by CC were ameliorated by HAP. Enhancement by HAP or CC of the excretion of the urine components was mostly nullified by HAP + CC. Parameters such as normal mammary gland growth and uterine adenomyosis on which neither HAP nor CC had an effect also did not respond to HAP + CC. These findings suggest that the target is important when administering natural products in combination if the agents are to manifest their effects, additive, synergistic, antagonistic or otherwise.