Chemopreventive Potential of Phyllanthus emblica Fruit Extract against Colon and Liver Cancer Using a Dual-Organ Rat Carcinogenesis Model

Abstract

Humans are frequently exposed to various carcinogens capable of inducing cancer in multiple organs. Phyllanthus emblica (P. emblica) is known for its strong antioxidant properties and potential in cancer prevention. However, its effectiveness against combined carcinogens remains relatively unexplored. This study aimed to assess the chemopreventive potential of the ethanolic extract of P. emblica fruits against preneoplastic lesions in the liver and colon using a rat model. Rats were administered with diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) to induce hepato- and colon carcinogenesis, respectively. The ethanolic extract of P. emblica fruit at 100 and 500 mg/kg bw significantly reduced the number of preneoplastic lesions in the liver by 74.7% and 55.6%, respectively, and in the colon by 39.2% and 40.8%, respectively. Similarly, the extract decreased the size of preneoplastic lesions in the liver by 75.2% (100 mg/kg bw) and 70.6% (500 mg/kg bw). Furthermore, the extract significantly reduced the cell proliferation marker in the liver by 70.3% (100 mg/kg bw) and 61.54% (500 mg/kg bw), and in the colon by 62.7% (100 mg/kg bw) and 60.5% (500 mg/kg bw). The ethanolic extract also enhanced liver antioxidant enzyme activities and demonstrated free radical scavenging in DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. Additionally, the dichloromethane fraction of P. emblica showed significant cancer prevention potential by reducing intracellular ROS and NO production by 61.7% and 35.4%, respectively, in RAW 264.7 macrophages. It also exhibited antimutagenic effects with a reduction of 54.0% against aflatoxin B1 and 52.3% against 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline-induced mutagenesis in Salmonella typhimurium. Finally, this study highlights the chemopreventive activity of P. emblica fruit extract against the initiation of early-stage carcinogenic lesions in the liver and colon in rats treated with dual carcinogens.