Cancer chemopreventive effect of dietary Zataria multiflora essential oils

Abstract

Zataria multiflora Boiss., with the common name Avishan-e-Shirazi, is native to Iran. This herb has been found to possess varied pharmacological properties. In the present study, for the first time, colon chemopreventive effects of Z. multiflora essential oils (0.01% and 0.1% in the diet) in rats treated with 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) were demonstrated. For this purpose, the oxidative stress/antioxidant parameters (lipid peroxidation, glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and ferric reducing ability of plasma) concomitant with xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes (CYP450 and GST) were considered. Moreover, the colonic β-catenin protein was examined in colon tissues followed by histopathological analysis. The results showed that the dietary intervention of Z. multiflora oils in tumor-bearing rats induced with DMH caused significant modulatory effects on DMH-metabolizing enzymes, but with lack of oxidative stress/antioxidant status. In parallel, the elevated protein β-catenin induced by DMH decreased significantly in treatment groups. However, the decreased tumor formations in histopathological biopsies in treated groups further confirmed these results. Thus, with reference to histopathological and biochemical data, it can be safely concluded that inhibition of colon premalignant lesions induced by DMH was mediated by the interference of Z. multiflora oils through the modulatory effect of DMH-metabolizing enzymes in association with β-catenin and no impact of antioxidant/oxidative stress state.

Pharmacological effects ofZataria multifloraBoiss L. and its constituents focus on their anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects

“…Antioxidant compounds including phenolic acids, polyphenols, and flavonoids scavenge free radicals and therefore prevent from the oxidative mechanisms . The oxidative stress/antioxidant parameters such as lipid peroxidation, glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) are considered for investigating antioxidant effects of various agents .…”

Essential oil components and cytochrome P450 enzymes: a review

“…aflatoxin B1, cyclophosphamide, 4‐(methylnitrosamino)‐1‐(3‐pyridyl)‐1‐butanone, nicotine‐derived nitrosamine ketone (NNK)], the induction of these CYP enzymes by EO constituents like (–)‐linalool can increase the likelihood of cancer, whereas EO constituents such as citral, geraniol, or β‐myrcene that inhibit these CYP isoforms may be useful as chemopreventive agents . Supporting this proposition, the results of an interesting study indicated that dietary Zataria multiflora EOs show colon chemopreventive properties by the modulation of CYP enzymes . On the other hand, this also means that EO constituents like the structurally related alkylbenzenes estragole, safrole, or methyleugenole can be activated to their proximate carcinogens by CYP‐inducing factors .…”

“…[29][30][31] Supporting this proposition, the results of an interesting study indicated that dietary Zataria multiflora EOs show colon chemopreventive properties by the modulation of CYP enzymes. 32 On the other hand, this also means that EO constituents like the structurally related alkylbenzenes estragole, safrole, or methyleugenole can be activated to their proximate carcinogens by CYP-inducing factors. 4,26 Clear distinction should be made between CYP-induced biotransformation of major EO components into bioactive metabolites like the alkylbenzenes estragole, safrole, and methyleugenole mentioned above, and the interference of major EO components with CYP enzymatic activities (the induction or inhibition of CYP enzymes by major EO components).…”

Chemotherapeutic effect of Berberis integerrima hydroalcoholic extract on colon cancer development in the 1,2-dimethyl hydrazine rat model

“…involved in DMH metabolism (GST and CYP1A1), accompanied by diminished β-catenin gene expression [21,22,25,26]. Here we have assessed the potential inhibitory effect of B. integerrima on colon carcinogenesis in the DMH rat model.…”