Anticancer Effect of Ruscogenin in B(a)P-Induced Lung Cancer in Mice via Modulation of Proinflammatory Cytokines and Mitochondrial Enzymes.

Lung cancer, one of the most often diagnosed malignancies, is the top cause of death in both men and women globally. In both developed and emerging countries, high incidences of cancer are becoming a huge health burden. Natural resources, including plants, have always been a possible source of lead compounds in the identification of optimal medications for cancer treatment, with natural resources accounting for around half of all anticancer drugs. Ruscogenin, a natural saponin, is a major component of Radix Ophiopogon japonicus with a well-established anticancer activity. In this study, the anticancer potential of ruscogenin against a B(a)P-challenged lung cancer model in mice was assessed. The mice were categorized into four groups: group I was as the control group, group II mice were challenged with B(a)P, group III rodents were treated with ruscogenin prior to challenge with B(a)P, and group IV rodents were treated with ruscogenin after B(a)P administration. Tumor incidence was calculated, and the following parameters were analyzed: body weight, lung weight, immunoglobulin (Ig) levels (IgG, IgA, and IgM), key marker enzymes, and proinflammatory cytokines in both treated and control mice. Lung tissues were analyzed via histopathological analysis. According to our results, all the markers that favor the growth of cancer were increased in the lung cancer group. After administration of ruscogenin, all the markers returned to their original levels, revealing the anticancer potential of ruscogenin.

Potential of curcumin and resveratrol as biochemical and biophysical modulators during lung cancer in rats.

The present study explored chemopreventive aspects of curcumin and resveratrol in the experimental model of lung carcinogenesis in rats. The main aim was to establish efficacy of combined phytochemicals treatment over individual treatments in rat cancer model. The study was performed in terms of both biophysical and biochemical parameters. The rats were segregated into five groups, which included normal control, benzo[a]pyrene (BP) treated, BP + curcumin treated, BP + resveratrol treated, and BP + curcumin + resveratrol treated groups. The results confirmed significant changes in the biochemical indices of the BP treated rats. Further, radiorespirometric studies showed significant rise in the 14C-glucose turnover and uptakes in BP treated rats. Also, a significant increase in the cell proliferation was noticed indirectly by recording uptakes of 3H-thymidine in the lung slices of BP treated rats. On the other hand, supplementation with curcumin and resveratrol in combination to BP treated rats significantly modulated both biophysical and biochemical indices. The histopathological studies also supported the efficacy of combined treatment of phytochemicals during lung carcinogenesis. The present study concluded that the combination of curcumin and resveratrol efficiently modulated lung carcinogenesis in rats.