Anti-carcinogenic potential of Euphorbia neriifolia leaves and isolated flavonoid against N-Nitrosodiethylamine-induced renal carcinogenesis in mice.

Anti-carcinogenic potential of hydro-ethanolic extract of Euphorbia neriifolia (EN) leaves and an isolated flavonoid (ENF) was investigated against N-Nitrosodiethylamine (DENA)-induced renal carcinogenesis in mice. Experimental mice were pretreated with 150 and 400 mg/kg body wt of EN, 0.5% and 1% mg/kg body wt of butylated hydroxylanisole (BHA) as a standard antioxidant and 50 mg/kg body wt of ENF for 21 days prior to the administration of a single dose of 50 mg/kg body wt of DENA. Levels of renal markers (urea and creatinine), xenobiotic metabolic enzymes (Cyt P450 and Cyt b5), lipid peroxidation (LPO), antioxidants (SOD, CAT, GST and GSH) and other biochemical parameters — AST, ALT, ALP, total protein (TP), and total cholesterol (TC) were measured to determine the renal carcinogenesis caused by DENA. DENA administration significantly (p<0.001) decreased the body weight and increased the tissue weight. It significantly (p<0.001) enhanced the levels of Cyt P450, Cyt b5 and LPO and decreased the levels of SOD, CAT, GST and GSH content. The activities of AST, ALT and ALP and the TP content and renal markers were also significantly decreased (p<0.001), while TC level was markedly increased after DENA administration, as compared with the normal control group (p<0.001). Pretreatment with EN and ENF counteracted DENA-induced oxidative stress (LPO) and exerted its protective effects by restoring the levels of antioxidants (SOD, CAT, GST and GSH), biochemical parameters (AST, ALT, ALP, TP and TC), renal markers (urea and creatinine) and xenobiotic enzymes (Cyt P450 and Cyt b5) in renal tissue. In conclusion, the present study showed significant anti-carcinogenic potential of the hydro-ethanolic extract of E. neriifolia and ENF against DENA-induced renal carcinogenicity.

Ability of Allium cepa L. root tips and Tradescantia pallida var. purpurea in N-nitrosodiethylamine genotoxicity and mutagenicity evaluation

N-nitroso compounds, such as N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA), can be formed by the reaction of secundary amines with nitrosating agents, and are suspected to be involved in tumors in humans. NDEA has been considered a weak carcinogen in genotoxic assays probably due to the inefficient nitrosamine activation system that is used and/or to the efficient repair system. In this work, we evaluated the sensibility of Allium cepa L. root tips and Tradescantia stamen hair mutation assay (Trad-SH) using Tradescantia pallida var. purpurea for NDEA (0.1; 0.5; 5 and 25mM) genotoxicity and mutagenicity induction. Allium cepa L. was treated with different NDEA concentrations for 3h, for 3 consecutive days, including negative control (distilled water) and positive control maleic hydrazide (MH 30mg/mL). After treatment, the roots were hydrolyzed, squashed, and the mitotic index (MI) and cytological abnormalities were scored. The results revealed a cytostatic effect of NDEA (0.5 and 5mM), showing a significant reduction in the MI. Chromosome stickiness suggests a NDEA toxic effect. T. pallida purpurea did not respond to mutagens with a dose-dependent pattern. In conclusion, our study indicates that the root tips of Allium cepa L. have sensibility to detect NDEA genotoxicity, but not for Trad-SH test.

Nitrocompostos, como N-nitrosodietilamina (NDEA), podem ser formados pela reação entre uma amina secundária e agentes nitrosantes e são suspeitos de estarem envolvidos na formação de tumores em humanos. NDEA é considerada um carcinógeno fraco e ensaios genotóxicos provavelente pela utilização de um sistema de ativação ineficiente e/ou pela utilização de um eficiente sistema de reparo. Neste trabalho, nós avaliamos a sensibilidade de ensaios com Alliu cepa L. e Tradescantia pallida var. purpurea (Trad-SH) à genotoxicidade e mutagenicidade induzidas por diferentes concentrações de NDEA (0,1; 0,5; 5 e 25mM) por 3h, por 3 dias consecutivos, incluindo controle negativo (água destilada) e controle positivo, hidrazida maleica (MH 30mg/mL). Depois do tratamento, as raízes foram hidrolizadas, esmagadas e o índice mitótico (IM) e anormalidades citológicas foram contadas. Os resultados revelaram um efeito citostático de NDEA (0,5 e 5mM), pela significante redução do IM. Chromosome stickiness sugere um efeito citotóxico de NDEA. T pallida purpurea não respondeu ao mutágeno com um padrão dose dependente. Em conclusão, nossos estudos indicaram que raízes de Allium cepa L. possue sensibilidade na detecção genotóxica de NDEA, mas não para o ensaio Trad-SH.

Protective effect of Cassia fistula Linn. on diethylnitrosamine induced hepatocellular damage and oxidative stress in ethanol pretreated rats

Diethylnitrosamine (DEN), found in many commonly consumed foods, is widely reported to induce cancer in animals and humans. The aim of the present study was to investigate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities of the leaf extract of the medicinal plant Cassia fistula Linn. against diethylnitrosamine induced liver injury in ethanol pretreated rats. Albino Wistar rats, pretreated with ethanol for 15 days, were administered a single dose of DEN. Thirty days after DEN administration, hepatotocellular damage was observed histologically, along with elevated levels of serum AST, ALT, ALP, LDH, γ-GT and bilirubin and a simultaneous fall in the levels of the marker enzymes in the liver tissue. Liver oxidative stress was confirmed by elevated levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and a decrease in enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidants activities. Oral administration of the ethanolic leaf extract (ELE) of Cassia fistula for 30 days to ethanol + DEN treated rats significantly improved the above alterations in the markers of hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress, resulting in the reversal of most of the parameters studied and were comparable to the standard hepatoprotective drug silymarin.

Morphine does no promote esophageal carcinogenesis in rats exposed to diethylnitrosamine

BACKGROUND: The high incidence of esophageal cancer in the north of Iran has been associated to the consumption of opium and exposure to nitrosamines. Diethylnitrosamine has an established potential of producing experimental cancer in the esophagus and liver. AIM: To evaluate by histopathology the effect of oral administration of morphine and diethylnitrosamine during 23 weeks on the hepatic and esophageal carcinogenesis on 176 rats. METHODS: We divided the rats into the following groups: Morph: morphine; Den: diethylnitrosamine; Den+morph: Den and morphine in the same solution; Den/morph: Den and morphine in different solutions and days. RESULTS: Morphine did not promote neoplasias. The highest neoplastic incidents were found: a) in the esophagus, Den in relation to Den/morph and Den+morph (71.1 percent, 55.8 percent, and 50.0 percent); b) in the liver, Den and Den/morph in relation to Den+morph (73.8 percent, 81.4 percent, and 40.9 percent); c) higher incident of hepatic neoplasia than esophageal in Den/morph (81.4 percent and 55.8 percent). Different doses of diethylnitrosamine were ingested among the groups Den, Den/morph, and Den+morph, respectively 2.9, 2.8, and 2.3 mg/kg/day. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that the morphine did not promote esophageal carcinogenesis and may have stimulated the hepatic metabolism of the first pass of the carcinogen.

RACIONAL: A alta incidência de câncer esofagiano no norte do Irã foi associada ao consumo de ópio e exposição às nitrosaminas. A dietilnitrosamina possui potencial estabelecido de produzir câncer experimental em esôfago e fígado. OBJETIVO: Avaliar por histopatologia o efeito da administração oral de morfina e de dietilnitrosamina na carcinogênese esofágica e hepática em ratos. MÉTODOS: Durante 23 semanas, 176 ratos ingeriram diferentes soluções, sendo divididos em grupos: Morf: morfina; Den: dietilnitrosamina; Den+morf: dietilnitrosamina e morfina numa mesma solução; Den/morf: dietilnitrosamina e morfina em diferentes soluções e dias. RESULTADOS: Morf não promoveu neoplasias. Encontraram-se maiores incidências neoplásicas: a) no esôfago, Den em relação à Den/morf e Den+morf (71,1 por cento, 55,8 por cento e 50,0 por cento); b) no fígado, Den e Den/morf em relação à Den+morf (73,8 por cento, 81,4 por cento e 40,9 por cento); c) maior incidência de neoplasia hepática do que esofágica em Den/morf (81,4 por cento e 55,8 por cento). Diferentes doses de dietilnitrosamina foram ingeridas entre os grupos Den, Den/morf e Den+morf, respectivamente 2,9, 2,8 e 2,3 mg/kg/dia. CONCLUSÕES: A morfina não promoveu a carcinogênese esofágica e pode ter estimulado o metabolismo hepático de primeira passagem do carcinógeno.

Efeito do extrato aquoso da própolis sobre a hepatocarcinogênese química em modelo de média duração em ratos Wistar machos / Effect of aqueous extract of propolis on chemical hepatocarcinogenesis in the model of average duration in male Wistar rats

A própolis é um complexo de substâncias naturais cujas atividades terapêuticas têm sido relatadas por diversos autores. Dentre estas atividades, seu potencial quimiopreventivo é controverso. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito do extrato aquoso da própolis de origem brasileira (EAP, 0,13% na água de beber) sobre a hepatocarcinogênese química em um protocolo de média-duração de duas etapas, com iniciação pela dietilnitrosamina (DEN, 200 mg/kg de peso corporal, ip, dose única) e promoção com baixa concentração de hexaclorobenzeno (HCB, 100 ppm) na ração. Os animais foram sacrificados após oito e 30 semanas de experimentação. Os fígados foram coletados e processados histologicamente para análise da incidência de focos de hepatócitos alterados (FHA), sob coloração de hematoxilina e eosina, e para a análise quantitativa do número e área de FHA que expressavam a enzima glutationa S-transferase (GST-P mais), identificados por reação imunoistoquímica. Os resultados indicam que a administração do EAP não influenciou o desenvolvimento destas lesões pré­-neoplásicas. O tratamento com EAP, isoladamente, não induziu o aparecimento de focos GST-P mais além dos níveis basais (FHA espontâneos), observados no grupo controle (NaCI). Estes resultados sugerem que, nas condições do presente experimento, o EAP 0,13% não exerceu efeito quimiopreventivo sobre a hepatocarcinogênese em ratos.

Impact of hypercholesterolemia on in vitro toxicity of N-nitrosodiethylamine: effect on lipidperoxidation of blood and tissue.

In vitro treatment of erythrocytes of normal and hypercholesterolemic rats with N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA), an important carcinogen frequently present in human environment and food chain resulted in a marginal increase in osmotic fragility of erythrocytes without affecting their antioxygenic potential as evidenced by insignificant effect on lipid peroxidation (LPO). However, (LPO) of all the tissues (heart, lung, liver, kidney and spleen) increased significantly on in vitro treatment with NDEA. The effects were different in different tissues under different dietary conditions

Chemopreventive effect of orange oil on the development of hepatic preneoplastic lesions induced by N-nitrosodiethylamine in rats: an ultrastructural study.

Orange peel oil is used extensively as an approved flavour enhancer in fruit drinks, carbonated beverages and as a scenting agent in soaps and cosmetics. Limonene, which is a monocyclic monoterpene is present in orange peel oil from 90 to 95% (w/w). Monoterpenes have been shown to be very effective chemopreventive agents against several rodent tumors and are currently in clinical trials. However, not much information is available regarding the ultrastructural changes associated with the chemopreventive effects of the monoterpenes. The effect of orange oil on the suppression of preneoplastic hepatic lesions during N-nitrosodiethylamine (DEN) induced hepatocarcinogenesis was studied electron microscopically. Rats were administered 200 ppm DEN through drinking water for a period of 1 month. After an interval of 2 weeks, the animals were administered orange oil by gavage for a period of 5 1/2 months. The chemopreventive effect of orange oil was monitored on the basis of liver weight profile, histological pattern by light microscopy and ultrastructural alterations by electronmicroscopy. Orange oil administration following DEN treatment showed decreased liver weights, increased intercellular gap junctional complexes, cell density and polarity when compared with only the DEN treated rats. In the present study chemopreventive effect of orange oil on DEN-induced hepatic preneoplasia in rats which is associated with the restoration of the normal phenotype and upregulation of junctional complexes has been demonstrated.

Further phenotypic characterization of pso mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with respect to DNA repair and response to oxidative stress

The sensitivity responses of seven pso mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae towards the mutagens N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA), 1,2:7,8-diepoxyoctane (DEO), and 8-hydroxyquinoline (8HQ) further substantiated their allocation into two distinct groups: genes PSO1 (allelic to REV3), PSO2 (SNM1), PSO4 (PRP19), and PSO5 (RAD16) constitute one group in that they are involved in repair of damaged DNA or in RNA processing whereas genes PSO6 (ERG3) and PSO7 (COX11) are related to metabolic steps protecting from oxidative stress and thus form a second group, not responsible for DNA repair. PSO3 has not yet been molecularly characterized but its pleiotropic phenotype would allow its integration into either group. The first three PSO genes of the DNA repair group and PSO3, apart from being sensitive to photo-activated psoralens, have another common phenotype: they are also involved in error-prone DNA repair. While all mutants of the DNA repair group and pso3 were sensitive to DEO and NDEA the pso6 mutant revealed WT or near WT resistance to these mutagens. As expected, the repair-proficient pso7-1 and cox11-Delta mutant alleles conferred high sensitivity to NDEA, a chemical known to be metabolized via redox cycling that yields hydroxylamine radicals and reactive oxygen species. All pso mutants exhibited some sensitivity to 8HQ and again pso7-1 and cox11-Delta conferred the highest sensitivity to this drug. Double mutant snm1-Delta cox11-Delta exhibited additivity of 8HQ and NDEA sensitivities of the single mutants, indicating that two different repair/recovery systems are involved in survival. DEO sensitivity of the double mutant was equal or less than that of the single snm1-Delta mutant. In order to determine if there was oxidative damage to nucleotide bases by these drugs we employed an established bacterial test with and without metabolic activation. After S9-mix biotransformation, NDEA and to a lesser extent 8HQ, lead to significantly higher mutagenesis in an Escherichia coli tester strain WP2-IC203 as compared to WP2, whereas DEO-induced mutagenicity remained unchanged

Cancare-a herbal formulation inhibits chemically induced tumours in experimental animals.

Cancer chemopreventive potential of Cancare, a multi-herbal formulation on chemically induced tumours was studied by N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) induced hepatocarcinogenesis in rats and 20-methylcholanthrene (20-MC) induced sarcoma development in mice. Oral administration of Cancare was found to inhibit the liver tumour development induced by N-nitrosodiethylamine. Animals administered with NDEA had visible liver tumours by the end of 30th weeks and the liver weight was raised to 6.1 +/- 1.4 g/ 100 g body wt. None of the animals treated with Cancare (150 mg/ kg) developed any visible liver tumours by this period and the liver weight was 3.0 +/- 0.6 g/ 100 g body wt. Gamma-Glutamyl transpeptidase, a marker of hepatocellularcarcinoma, which was raised to 83.7 +/- 8. 9 U/l in serum of NDEA treated group was reduced to 35.2 +/- 6.1 U/l by simultaneous administration of Cancare. Elevated levels of serum alkaline phosphatase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase, bilirubin, liver glutathione S-transferase, glutathione and gamma-Glutamyl transpeptidase in the NDEA administered group was significantly reduced by Cancare administration. Cancare administration inhibited the sarcoma development and increased the life span of mice administered with 20-MC dose dependently. All animals in the control group developed sarcomas by 150th day and dead by 174th day after 20-MC administration. Cancare administration (30 mg and 150 mg/kg) inhibited the sarcoma development (46.7 and 60%) as well as increased the life span (53.3 and 66.7%) as estimated on 240th day after 20-MC administration. The results are indicative of the chemopreventive potential of Cancare against chemically induced neoplasmas.

Study on mechanism of multistep hepatotumorigenesis in rat: development of hepatotumorigenesis

With the aim of establishing bio-indices for the development of multistep hepatotumorigenesis, rats were fed water containing 0.01% diethylnitrosamine (DEN) ad libitum for 13 weeks. This treatment with DEN only made it possible to induce hepatic tumors in 100%. After the DEN administration, several clinical symptoms were observed including minor behavioral changes, brittleness of hair and a decrease in water and food intake. The concentration of total serum protein and albumin in all treated groups was significantly lower than in non-treated controls (p<0.05). Increase of specific enzyme (AST, ALT and GGT) activity (p<0.05), variable tumor size and hepatomegaly of the liver was observed in all rats treated with DEN for 10 weeks. Both hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma were found in the same livers at the same time, and were prominently developed after 12 weeks. In case of carcinoma, some of the livers showed more or less advanced states over the 12-15 weeks period. In the present study, hepatocellular carcinoma was developed by treating DEN in only the drinking water, without any other carcinogens or without partial hepatectomy. These results indicate that DEN is a new carcinogen that acts directly on it the liver, moreover, it might be very useful for investigating hepatotumorigenesis.

Hepatic and renal oxidative stress in acute toxicity of N-nitrosodiethylamine in rats.

Nitrosoamines such as N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) produce oxidative stress due to generation of reactive oxygen species and may alter antioxidant defence system in the tissues. NDEA was administered ip as a single dose to rats in LD50 or in lower amounts and the animals were sacrificed after 0-48 hr of treatment. The results showed that lipid peroxidation in liver increased, however no significant increase in kidney LPO was observed after NDEA administration. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GSH-R) activity increased in liver, however, catalase (CAT) activity in liver was inhibited in NDEA treated rats. Kidney showed an increase in SOD activity after an initial decrease along with increase in GSH-R activity in NDEA treated rats. However, kidney CAT activity was not significantly altered in NDEA intoxicated rats. Serum transaminases, serum alkaline phosphatase blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine and scrum proteins were elevated in NDEA treated rats. The results indicate NDEA-induced oxidative stress and alteration in antioxidant enzymes in liver and kidney to neutralise oxidative stress.

Antioxidant and anticarcinogenic activity of Lycovin--an indigenous herbal preparation.

Aqueous extract of Lycovin has been found to be a potent inhibitor of lipid peroxide formation, (IC50 = 500 micrograms/ml) and scavenger of hydroxyl radical (IC50 = 44 micrograms/ml) and superoxide radical (IC50 = 30 micrograms/ml) in vitro. Lycovin syrup 1.5 ml and 7.5 ml/kg body wt administered orally, reduced the development of sarcoma induced by 20 MC by 35% and 70% respectively. Lycovin syrup was also found to inhibit the hepatocarcinogenesis induced by NDEA. The tumour incidence was 100% in the control group, while none of the drug treated animals developed tumour. Liver weight, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), GSH-S-transferase (GST), reduced glutathione, (GSH) and aniline-4-hydroxylase in liver were elevated in NDEA alone treated animals. The serum parameters indicative of liver injury such as bilirubin, lipid peroxides, alkaline phosphatase and glutamate pyruvate transaminase were also elevated by NDEA administration. These elevated parameters were significantly reduced in animals treated with Lycovin syrup along with NDEA in a dose dependent manner. Even though the exact mechanism of action is not known at present, the observed anticarcinogenic activity may be due to the inhibition of P.450 enzyme activity and subsequent inhibition of the production of the ultimate carcinogen as well as scavenging of oxygen free radicals during promotion of the transformed cell.

Avaliação do efeito da cafeína na carcinogênese esofágica induzida pela Dietilnitrosamina: estudo experimental em camundongos / Effect of caffeine on diethylnitrosamine-induced esophageal carcinogenesis in mice

Não existe consenso quanto à relação da cafeína com as neoplasias. O carcinoma epidermóide do esôfago é neoplasia de elevada incidência em nosso meio. Entre os fatores de risco conhecidos estão o tabagismo, o alcoolismo e bebidas ingeridas em temperaturas elevadas: chá, chimarrão, entre outras. Na literatura, não encontramos estudos sobre a cafeína e o câncer de esôfago. Objetivos: Avaliar o efeito da cafeína no CEE, utilizando modelo experimental de carcinogênese esofágica induzido pela DEN em camundongos e também o efeito da cafeína ingerida isoladamente sobre a mucosa do esôfago...

Loss of a putative novel growth inhibitory apoptotic 14 kD polypeptide during progression of rat liver carcinogenesis.

Carcinogenesis is a multistep process involving different stages. However, the biological and biochemical factors responsible for the stepwise transition of cells from one stage to the other remains as important enigmas even today. We have recently isolated a putative novel growth inhibitory apoptotic 14 kD polypeptide from normal rat liver. In order to understand the possible functional relationship between 14 kD polypeptide and liver carcinogenesis, the sequential expression of this polypeptide as a function of tumor progression was studied in the rat liver using diethylnitrosamine (DEN) as a carcinogen. Immunoperoxidase and immunoblotting experiments using polyclonal rabbit antisera revealed a gradual reduction in the levels of this polypeptide with tumor progression. No reduction in the levels of this polypeptide was observed in regenerating rat liver after partial hepatectomy. The findings suggest that the loss or reduction of 14 kD polypeptide is linked selectively to abnormal cell proliferation and appears to be a biologically relevant risk factor for the progression of hepatocarcinogenesis in rats.

The Enhancing Effect of Ethanol on the Development of Glutatione S-Transferase Placental Form-Positive Foci Induced by Diethylnitrosamine in F344 Rat

The effects of ethyl alcohol and pig serum administration on the development of preneoplastic hepatic enzyme-altered foci were examined in an in vivo mid-term assay system. Rats were initially given a single dose (200 mg/Kg) intraperitoneal injection of diethylnitrosamine (DEN). Two weeks later, treatment was started with 10% ethanol + 10% sucrose solution, 10% sucrose solution, or tap water as drinking water for 6 weeks with or without intraperitoneal injection of porcine serum twice a week. All rats were subjected to a two-thirds partial hepatectomy at week 3. The modification potentials were evaluated by comparing the number and area per cm2 of glutathione S-transferase placental form-positive (GST-P+) foci in the liver of each group. As a result, ethanol significantly enhanced the development of GST-P+ foci. Unfortunately, the porcine serum injection produced no hepatic fibrosis and no significant alteration in GST-P+ foci.