Anticarcinogenic activity of methanol extract of Melastoma malabathricum leaves is attributed to the presence of phenolics compounds and the activation of endogenous antioxidant system

Melastoma malabathricum (M. malabathricum) extracts have been reported to exert various pharmacological activities including antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative activities. The objective of the present study was to determine the anticarcinogenic activity of its methanol extract (MEMM) against the azoxymethane (AOM)-induced early colon carcinogenesis in rats. Rats were randomly assigned to five groups (n=6) namely normal control, negative control, and treatment (50, 250 or 500 mg/kg of MEMM) groups. Colon tissues were harvested for histopathological analysis and endogenous antioxidant system determination. MEMM was also subjected to HPLC analysis. Findings showed that MEMM significantly (p<0.05) reversed the AOM-induced carcinogenicity by: i) reducing the formation of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in colon tissues, and; ii) enhancing the endogenous antioxidant activity (catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase). Moreover, various phenolics has been identified in MEMM. In conclusion, MEMM exerts the in vivo anticarcinogenic activity via the activation of endogenous antioxidant system and synergistic action of phenolics.

The Timing and Duration of Folate Restriction Differentially Impacts Colon Carcinogenesis

Diet plays a crucial role in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). Of particular importance, folate, present in foods and supplements, is a crucial modulator of CRC risk. The role of folate, and, specifically, the synthetic variant, folic acid, in the primary prevention of CRC has not been fully elucidated. Animal studies varied considerably in the timing, duration, and supplementation of folates, leading to equivocal results. Our work attempts to isolate these variables to ascertain the role of folic acid in CRC initiation, as we previously demonstrated that folate restriction conferred protection against CRC initiation in a β-pol haploinsufficient mouse model. Here we demonstrated that prior adaptation to folate restriction altered the response to carcinogen exposure in wild-type C57BL/6 mice. Mice adapted to folate restriction for 8 weeks were protected from CRC initiation compared to mice placed on folate restriction for 1 week, irrespective of antibiotic supplementation. Through analyses of mTOR signaling, DNA methyltransferase, and DNA repair, we have identified factors that may play a critical role in the differential responses to folate restriction. Furthermore, the timing and duration of folate restriction altered these pathways differently in the absence of carcinogenic insult. These results represent novel findings, as we were able to show that, in the same model and under controlled conditions, folate restriction produced contrasting results depending on the timing and duration of the intervention.

The state of pro- and antioxidant systems in rats with DMH-induced colon carcinogenesis on the background of extracorporeal detoxification

Aim: Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world. The aim of this research was to study the indices of pro- and antioxidant systems in rats with dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced colon carcinogenesis on the background of the enterosorbent AUT-M use. Materials and methods: The study was performed on 70 white male rats weighing 200–250 g. Adenocarcinoma of the colon was simulated by subcutaneous injection of the DMH (Sigma-Aldrich Chemie, Japan) at a dose of 7.2 mg/kg once a week during 7 months. Enterosorbent AUT-M was administered intragastrically daily for 21 days after simulation of carcinogenesis at a dose of 1 ml of suspension per 100 g of animal body weight. The state of the pro- and antioxidant systems was studied by the content of oxidative modification of proteins products (OMP), the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), contents of ceruloplasmin (CP) and reduced glutathione (GSH). Results: It was found that DMH-induced colon carcinogenesis in rats is accompanied by disorders in the antioxidant defense system and activation of free radical oxidation processes. Enterosorbent AUT-M provides a significant reduction in the content of OMP370 and OMP430 in both blood serum and liver homogenate of rats. Moreover, the use of enterosorbent AUT-M demonstrated a significant increase in the activity of SOD, CAT, content of GSH and a decrease in CP content in investigated tissues. Conclusion: The use of enterosorbent AUT-М demonstrated prominent potential suppression for oxidative stress and positive effect on antioxidant defense system in rats with DMH-induced colon carcinogenesis.

DNA Methylation Is a Main Key for Bacteria-Related Colon Carcinogenesis

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cause of cancer deaths in men and women combined [...]