Inhibitory potential of methanolic extracts ofAristolochia tagalaandCurcuma caesiaon hepatocellular carcinoma induced by diethylnitrosamine in BALB/c mice

Abstract

Context:Aristolochia tagala (AT) and Curcuma caesia (CC) have been used traditionally by local herbal practitioners for cancer treatment and as chief ingredients of many polyherbal formulations for various types of ailments. However, there is void in scientific study to evaluate their anti-cancer property.Aims:The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-carcinogenic properties of the crude methanolic extracts of roots of AT and rhizomes of CC in BALB/c mice exposed to a hepatocarcinogen, diethylnitrosamine (DEN).Settings and Design:(I) Toxicity of herbal plant extracts (HPE); (II) Anticancer studies; (III) Histological studies; and (IV) Biochemical studies.Materials and Methods:To evaluate the effects of these two HPE either alone or following DEN exposure, serum transaminases (aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alanine aminotransferase [ALT]), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and cancer marker enzyme acetylcholine esterase (AChE) were assayed in mice. In addition, histological study was also carried out under similar conditions. The antioxidant potentials of the HPE were evaluated by monitoring the activity of antioxidant enzymes and metabolites, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione (GSH).Statistical Analysis Used:Statistical analysis was performed by GraphPad Prism 6 Software using one-way analysis of variance followed by the Tukey's multiple comparisons test. Significance was set at P < 0.05.Results:Our findings show that DEN administration elevated AST, ALT, ALP, and AChE activities. CC or AT extracts attenuated the increased activities of these marker enzymes. The activities of antioxidant enzymes, which were decreased following DEN administration, were significantly increased in mice treated with CC or AT.Conclusions:The present study clearly documents anticarcinogenic and antioxidant properties of AT and CC in DEN-induced mouse liver cancer in vivo.

Melatonin Activates Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Apoptosis in Rats with Diethylnitrosamine-Induced Hepatocarcinogenesis

“…Anti-oncogenic properties of melatonin have been carried out in cultured hepatoma cells, where melatonin modulates apoptosis, inhibits the expression of angiogenic genes and reduces the migration and motility of HepG2 cells during metastasis, with no toxic effects on healthy hepatocytes [ 17 – 21 ]. However, the effects of melatonin and other natural compounds in the DEN model are mainly focused on their impact on antioxidant machinery but not in the molecular mechanisms that have been observed in vitro , so it is necessary to confirm the observations made in culture cells to define effective targets for HCC treatment [ 24 , 26 , 44 – 46 ].…”

Sambar, an Indian dish prevents the development of dimethyl hydrazine-induced colon cancer: A preclinical study

“…Black turmeric has been previously investigated for its anticarcinogenic properties in liver cancer induced by diethyl nitrosamine. [ 19 ] Based on this finding, the protective effect of sambar powder could also be attributed to black turmeric in DMH-induced CC. The incidence of colonic tumor has been seen to reduce to 16.6% on adding fenugreek to the diet of DMH-treated rats,[ 20 ] which confirms the potential of fenugreek in our study as well.…”

Phytochemicals ofAristolochia tagalaandCurcuma caesiaexert anticancer effect by tumor necrosis factor-α-mediated decrease in nuclear factor kappaB binding activity

“…Methanolic extracts of roots of AT and rhizomes of CC HPE were prepared. [ 10 ] DEN was administered by intravenous route[ 10 ] at weekly intervals from week 0 (start of the experiment) until the end of the experiment (16 or 28 weeks). The exposures to the HPE (either AT or CC) were initiated from week 10 until the end of the experiment (weeks 16 or 28) by thrice weekly intraperitoneal (i.p.)…”

“…against diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in mice by enhancing the antioxidant status and potentially protecting endogenous enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant activity. [ 10 ] In this paper, we report the phytochemical constituents, free radical scavenging property, antiproliferative property of AT and CC, and the possible intervention on tumor progression.…”