Preventive Effect of Aplotaxis auriculata root on Diethylnitrosamine DEN induced Hepatocellular carcinoma in rats

Abstract

newlineABSTRACT newline newlineLiver cancer is characterized by the presence of malignant hepatic tumors in liver. Hepatocellular carcinoma accounts for about 90% of all liver cancer and it represents more than 4% of all cancer cases worldwide and is the fourth most common cause of cancer mortality. In view of severe undesirable side effects of synthetic agents, there is growing focus to follow systematic research methodology and to evaluate scientific basis for the traditional medicines which are claimed to possess anticancer activity. A large number of these plant-derived substances have been shown to significantly prevent or delay cancer development in several high risk populations. Hence in the present study an attempt has been made to create an animal model with using DEN induced hepatocarcinoma and the chemopreventive efficacy of Aplotaxis auriculata root extract (AARE) was evaluated. newline newlineAdministration of AARE alone DEN treated rats restored the tumour, diagnostic markers; liver antioxidants, mitochondrial membrane bound enzymes, glucose metabolizing and regulatory enzymes and immunostimulatory activity. Histochemical and SEM examination of liver revealed the chemopreventive nature of AARE. AARE effectively scavenge ROS (DPPH, superoxide anion scavenging, nitric oxide scavenging and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activities.) and metal chelator (iron chelator and iron reducing power) under in vitro conditions showed in vitro antioxidant property of AARE modulated the deregulated function of liver, lipid peroxides, tumor markers and antioxidants in DEN induced rats. Phytochemical analysis proved that flavonoids, alkaloids, tannin, steroids, terpenoids were present in AARE. The potential chemopreventive action of AARE might have been due to the phytochemicals present in it. In conclusion, this study provides a scientific rationale for the use of AARE in traditional system of medicine to alleviate DEN induced cancer and also offer exciting opportunity to develop