Antiproliferative efficacy of hesperetin (citrus flavanoid) in 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced colon cancer

Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide and is increasing at an alarming rate. The present study was to evaluate the antiproliferative effects of hesperetin, a flavonoid commonly found in many herbal medicines and foods, on aberrant crypt foci (ACF), argyrophylic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced colon carcinogenesis in rats. Rats were given subcutaneous injections of DMH (20 mg/kg body weight) weekly for 15 weeks to induce carcinogenesis, and hesperetin was administered orally at the dose of 20 mg/kg body weight. DMH exposure alone produced a high incidence of ACF and showed positive staining for PCNA and AgNORs in colonic tissues. Supplementation with hesperetin lowered the PCNA labeling index and suppressed the formation of ACF in the rats with colon cancer. These results clearly reveal that dietary hesperetin possesses antiproliferative ability against chemically induced colon tumourigenesis.

Chemopreventive efficacy of hesperetin (citrus flavonone) against 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced rat colon carcinogenesis

BACKGROUND

Colorectal carcinogenesis is one of the most common cancers/lethal diseases. Chronic inflammation is considered a risk factor for colorectal cancer. Hesperetin, a flavonone found in citrus fruits and oranges is shown to possess potent growth inhibitory effects against various human cancer cells. It possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. AIM OF THE SCOPE: In the present study, we have evaluated the chemopreventive efficacy of hesperetin against rat colon carcinogenesis in male Wistar rats.

METHODS

Group 1 served as control, received modified pellet diet and group 2 rats received 20 mg/kg body weight of hesperetin p.o. every day. Groups 3-6 rats were given subcutaneous injections of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH, 20 mg/kg body weight) once a week for 15 consecutive weeks. In addition, rats in group 4 received hesperetin as in group 2 for the first 15 weeks (initiation), group 5 rats received hesperetin as in group 2 after the last injection of DMH and continued till the end of the experimental period (postinitiation). Group 6 rats received hesperetin as in group 2 throughout the entire experimental period of 32 weeks.

RESULTS

Detection of cell proliferation markers such as proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) (immunohistochemistry), argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) (silver staining); apoptosis (immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry); angiogenic growth factors (ELISA) indicated decreased cell proliferation and increased apoptotic markers in the colon. In addition, decreased angiogenic growth factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and downregulation of mRNA Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expressions were observed in mucosal and fecal samples of hesperetin-supplemented rats.

CONCLUSIONS

Hesperetin supplementation showed an inhibition of cell proliferation markers, angiogenic growth factors, COX-2 mRNA expression and induction of apoptosis. Thus, hesperetin can be used as a potent chemopreventive agent against DMH-induced colon cancer.

Effect of hesperetin, a citrus flavonoid, on bacterial enzymes and carcinogen-induced aberrant crypt foci in colon cancer rats: a dose-dependent study

Hesperetin, an important bioactive compound in Chinese traditional medicine, has antioxidant and anticarcinogenic properties. Hesperetin is found in abundance in orange and grape juices (200–590 mg L−1) consumed in the daily diet. We have investigated the effect of different doses of hesperetin on faecal and colonic mucosal bacterial enzymes and aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced colon carcinogenesis in male Wistar rats. The rats were divided into six groups and were fed a modified pellet diet for 16 weeks. Group 1 served as control and group 2 received the modified pellet diet along with hesperetin (30 mg kg−1). The rats in groups 3–6 rats were given a weekly subcutaneous injection of DMH (20 mg kg−1) for the first four weeks. Hesperetin was supplemented orally at different doses (10, 20 or 30 mg kg−1) for a total of 16 weeks. At the end of the experimental period all rats were killed. In DMH-treated rats, the activity of faecal and colonic mucosal bacterial enzymes, such as β-glucuronidase, β-galactosidase, β-glucosidase, nitroreductase, sulfatase and mucinase, were significantly elevated, but in rats supplemented hesperetin along with DMH the activity was significantly lowered (P < 0.05). The total number of aberrant crypts was significantly increased in unsupplemented DMH-treated rats, while hesperetin supplementation to DMH-treated rats significantly reduced the total number of crypts. The results demonstrated that hesperetin supplementation at a dose of 20 mg kg−1 played a potent role in suppressing the formation of aberrant crypt foci and reducing the activity of bacterial enzymes in colon cancer.

Efficacy of the potential chemopreventive agent, hesperetin (citrus flavanone), on 1,2-dimethylhydrazine induced colon carcinogenesis

Our current study is an effort to identify a potent chemopreventive agent against colon cancer. Here we have investigated the efficacy of hesperetin on tissue lipid peroxidation, antioxidant defense system and colonic histoarchitecture in male Wistar rats in colon carcinogenesis. Rats in groups 3, 4, 5 and 6 were treated with DMH (20 mg kg body weight s.c.) once a week for 15 weeks. Group 1 rats received modified pellet diet and served as control; group 2 received modified pellet diet along with hesperetin (20mg/kg body weight, p.o., every day); and hesperetin was given to the rats as in-group 2 during the initiation, post-initiation and entire period stages of colon carcinogenesis. Lipid peroxidation was studied by measuring the formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH) and conjugated dienes (CD), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione reductase (GR), reduced glutathione (GSH), in the liver and colonic tissues of DMH administered rats. (1) Decreased levels of lipid peroxidation in the colonic tissues; (2) decreased activities of antioxidant enzymes SOD, CAT, GPX, GR and GSH levels in the tissues on DMH treatment. Hesperetin supplementation during the initiation, post-initiation and entire period stages of carcinogenesis significantly reversed these activities. These results indicate that hesperetin may be a potential chemopreventive agent against DMH-induced colon cancer.

Modulatory efficacy of hesperetin (citrus flavanone) on xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes during 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced colon carcinogenesis

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide with diet playing a prominent role in disease initiation and progression. Diet and nutrition play an important role during this multistep colon carcinogenic process. We have investigated the modulatory efficacy of hesperetin on aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes on 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced colon carcinogenesis. Male albino Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups. Group 1 served as control, received modified pellet diet and group 2 rats received 20mg/kg body weight of hesperetin p.o. every day. Groups 3-6 rats were given subcutaneous injections of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (20mg/kg body weight) once a week for 15 weeks to induce ACF in the colon. In addition, rats in group 4 received hesperetin as in group 2 orally for the first 15 weeks (initiation), group 5 rats received hesperetin as in group 2 after the last injection of DMH and continued till the end of the experimental period (post-initiation). Group 6 received hesperetin as in group 2 throughout the entire period of 32 weeks. DMH exposure showed high incidence (90%) of ACF (280+/-24.5 aberrant crypt/colon) and dysplastic ACF, elevated activities of phase I enzymes and reduced the activities of phase II enzymes in the liver and colonic mucosa of colon cancer bearing rats. Hesperetin supplementation significantly reversed these effects, the effect being more pronounced in group 6 rats (hesperetin supplemented throughout the study period). These findings suggest that hesperetin can significantly reduce the formation of preneoplastic lesions and effectively modulate the xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes in rats.

Effect of hesperetin, a citrus flavonoid, on bacterial enzymes and carcinogen-induced aberrant crypt foci in colon cancer rats: a dose-dependent study

Hesperetin, an important bioactive compound in Chinese traditional medicine, has antioxidant and anticarcinogenic properties. Hesperetin is found in abundance in orange and grape juices (200-590 mg L(-1)) consumed in the daily diet. We have investigated the effect of different doses of hesperetin on faecal and colonic mucosal bacterial enzymes and aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced colon carcinogenesis in male Wistar rats. The rats were divided into six groups and were fed a modified pellet diet for 16 weeks. Group 1 served as control and group 2 received the modified pellet diet along with hesperetin (30 mg kg(-1)). The rats in groups 3-6 rats were given a weekly subcutaneous injection of DMH (20 mg kg(-1)) for the first four weeks. Hesperetin was supplemented orally at different doses (10, 20 or 30 mg kg(-1)) for a total of 16 weeks. At the end of the experimental period all rats were killed. In DMH-treated rats, the activity of faecal and colonic mucosal bacterial enzymes, such as beta-glucuronidase, beta-galactosidase, beta-glucosidase, nitroreductase, sulfatase and mucinase, were significantly elevated, but in rats supplemented hesperetin along with DMH the activity was significantly lowered (P < 0.05). The total number of aberrant crypts was significantly increased in unsupplemented DMH-treated rats, while hesperetin supplementation to DMH-treated rats significantly reduced the total number of crypts. The results demonstrated that hesperetin supplementation at a dose of 20 mg kg(-1) played a potent role in suppressing the formation of aberrant crypt foci and reducing the activity of bacterial enzymes in colon cancer.

Hesperetin exerts dose dependent chemopreventive effect against 1,2-dimethyl hydrazine induced rat colon carcinogenesis

Colon cancer is still one of the leading causes of death in USA and is increasing at an alarming rate in Asia. It is one of the major causes of death in industrialized countries, and its etiology is known to be a combination of hereditary, environmental, dietary factors and lack of physical activity. Chemoprevention plays a potential role in colorectal cancer. The present study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of hesperetin supplementation on colonic aberrant crypt foci, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defense system in 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) induced colon carcinogenesis in male Wistar rats. The rats were segregated into six groups viz., group 1, control rats received modified pellet diet; group 2 rats received modified pellet diet along with hesperetin (30 mg/kg body weight/day); groups 3-6 administrated DMH (20 mg/kg body weight) subcutaneous injection once a week for the first 4 weeks; in addition groups 4-6 received hesperetin at three different doses of 10, 20 and 30 mg/kg body weight/day for 16 weeks. All the rats were sacrificed at the end of the experimental period of 16 weeks. Increased tumor incidence and increased number aberrant crypt foci (ACF) accompanied by a decrease in the tissue lipid peroxidation, glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities were observed in DMH-treated rats. Administration of hesperetin to DMH treated rats significantly decreased the tumor incidence, the number of aberrant crypt foci with simultaneous enhancement of tissue lipid peroxidation, GST, GPx, SOD, and CAT activities. The results of this study suggest that hesperetin at a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight showed a significant beneficial effect against chemically induced colonic carcinogenesis in rats as compared to the other two doses.

Aberrant crypt foci and AgNORs as putative biomarkers to evaluate the chemopreventive efficacy of pronyl-lysine in rat colon carcinogenesis

Chemoprevention opens new perspectives in the prevention of cancer and other degenerative diseases. Use of target-organ biological models at the histological and genetic levels can markedly facilitate the identification of potential chemopreventive agents. Our aim was to study the chemopreventive efficacy of pronyl-lysine, a key antioxidant present in bread crust by evaluating, the total number of aberrant crypt foci (ACF), their distributions, dysplastic ACF, colonic tumor incidence and the expression of cell proliferation biomarker such as the argyrophilic nucleolar organizing region-associated proteins (AgNORs) in 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) induced colon cancer in rats. Male Wistar rats were randomized into seven groups, group 1 were control rats, group 2 received pronyl-lysine (2 mg/kg body weight p.o. everyday), rats in groups 3-7 were administered DMH (20 mg/kg body weight) in the groin for 15 weeks. In addition, group 4 (pre-initiation), 5 (initiation), 6 (post-initiation), and 7 (entire period) received pronyl-lysine (2 mg/kg body weight p.o) everyday. At the end of 34 weeks, pronyl-lysine supplementation showed markedly reduced tumor incidence, ACF development and also lowered number of AgNORs. Overall, these findings confirm that pronyl-lysine has a positive beneficial effect against chemically induced colonic preneoplastic progression in rats.

A case control study of glycoprotein status in ovarian carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death due to gynecological malignancies. The aim of our study was to investigate the status of circulating glycoprotein levels in ovarian cancer patients.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Thirty ovarian cancer patients and an equal number of age-matched, apparently healthy subjects as controls were involved in the study. Glycoprotein levels, as indicated by the concentration of plasma total sialic acid, protein-bound hexoses, hexosamine and fucose were estimated in circulation of both the ovarian cancer patients and controls.

RESULTS

Significantly elevated levels of plasma total sialic acid, protein-bound hexoses, hexosamine and fucose were observed in ovarian cancer patients as compared to the apparently healthy controls.

CONCLUSION

Plasma total sialic acid, protein-bound hexoses, hexosamine and fucose in the circulation of ovarian cancer patients are markedly elevated and the increase in these carbohydrate moieties of glycoproteins reflect the stage of cancer and may be an additional tool in the diagnosis and prognosis of ovarian carcinoma.

Evidence of oxidative stress in the circulation of ovarian cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death due to gynecological malignancies among women. The extent of free radical induced oxidative stress can be exacerbated by the decreased efficiency of antioxidant mechanisms. The present study was conducted to investigate the extent of oxidative stress and the levels of antioxidants in the circulation of ovarian cancer patients.

METHODS

Plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and conjugated dienes (CD) and the levels of antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), vitamin C and vitamin E were estimated in the circulation of 30 ovarian cancer patients and an equal number of age-matched normal subjects as control.

RESULTS

Significantly increased concentrations of plasma TBARS and CD and significantly lowered levels of SOD, CAT, vitamin C and vitamin E were observed in ovarian cancer patients as compared with normal subjects.

CONCLUSION

The low levels of SOD, CAT, vitamin C and vitamin E in the plasma of ovarian cancer patients may be due to their increased utilization to scavenge lipid peroxides as well as their sequestration by tumor cells. Increased levels of lipid peroxidation may be due to excessive oxidative stress caused by incessant ovulation or epithelial inflammation.