Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most frequent diseases in human population: Many plants from Peruvian flora is used to treat cancer as alternative treatment. Chuquiraga spinosa Lessing (ChS) is a species with high potential therapeutic due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect as well as protective against prostate cancer. Objective: The main objective was to evaluate the possible protective effect of Chuquiraga spinosa extract on NMU (N-methyl-N nitrosourea)-induced gastric cancer in rats. Methods: Gastric carcinogenesis was induced in 30 male Holtzman rats by providing NMU 50 μg/Kg by oral administration for 16 weeks. Ethanolic extract of ChS aerial parts was administered at doses 50, 250 and 500 mg/Kg per oral. The protective effect was determined through weight controls, biochemical and hematological parameters; the antioxidant capacity by superoxide dismutase (SOD), nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and anti-inflammatory capacity by the level of C-reactive protein (CRP). The tumors were monitored by using histological examinations. Results: Oral administration of Chuquiraga spinosa extract significantly decreased superoxide dismutase malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, C-reactive protein levels (p<0,01, p<0,01, p<0,01 and p<0,01 respectively compared with Inductor group). There was a significant increase in the weights of animals (P<0.05). Conclusion: Considering the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties of Chuquiraga spinosa extract, we conclude that it has a protective effect on NMU induced gastric cancer in rats. Many medicinal plants are used by patients with cancer due to numerous positive effects on pain relief, vomiting, nauseas, depression, and anxiety.
8Bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, tannins, flavonoids can have antioxidant capacity with potential benefits for health and could reduce cancer risk, it has been demonstrated that the anti-inflammatory effect of these compounds inhibit arachidonic acid (AA), prostaglandins, and leukotrienes.9 Polyphenols are chemoprotectives that act by blocking of initiation stage of carcinogenesis, free radicals and activation of glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and inactivation of glutathione S transferase.
10Chuquiraga spinosa (ChS) Lessing (Family: Asteraceae) is called "huamanpinta" and is a species with therapeutic properties from Peruvian flora. The stem and leaves infusion of this plant is used for its antiinflammatory effects and urinary infections. Previous studies have reported that ChS presents anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. 11 The main objective in this research was to determine the protective effect of aerial parts of Chuquiraga spinosa on NMU induced gastric cancer in rats.
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MATERIALS AND METHODS
AnimalsA total of 30 rats Holtzman (150 ± 20 g) of male sex were obtained from the National Institute of Health (Lima, Peru). Rats were kept in plastic cages with access to pelletized food and water ad libitum and housed in animal room with controlled temperature (2...