Histopathology and Anticolon Cancer Effects of Turmeric Ethanolic Extracts in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Colon cancer is cancer that begins in the large intestine. It usually begins as small, non cancerous clumps that form inside the colon. It typically affects older adults and can occur at any age. The aim of this study is to investigate the histopathological changes of the colon of rats experimentally induced with cadmium chloride as well as the anticancer effect of the ethanolic extract of Curcuma longa. Thirty six healthy albino rats of both sexes were classified into six groups with each group comprising of five rats as follows ; group I: normal control rats, group 2: Cadmium Chloride induced rats, group 3: Aduracil-5 fluorouracil treated rats, Group 4: dimethyl sulfuroxide treated rats, groups 5 and 6 rats were treated with 875mg/kg and 437.5mg/kg of Curcuma ethanolic extracts respectively after initial induction of cancer with cadmium chloride. Comparative observation of the cadmium induced colon showed histopathological damage as evidenced by empty goblet cells, lacerated and suppressed mucosa, destruction of the surface epithelium, features which were lacking in the control and Curcuma longa treated colon. Curcuma treated colon exhibited marked improvement of the histomorphology whilst cadmium treated colon clearly showed tumor cells, cancer cells or invasive inflammatory cells. Adruracil-5fluorouracil{an established anti colon cancer drugs} treated colon showed mild improvement in the histomorphology of the colon while the dimethyl sulfuroxide treated colon revealed an insignificant impact. The ameliorative effect on rat colon occasioned by administration of Curcuma ethanolic extract suggests that the plant product may have therapeutic activity against colon inflammation in albino rats.

Impacts of turmeric and its principal bioactive curcumin on human health: Pharmaceutical, medicinal, and food applications: A comprehensive review

“…One of the most studied medicinal herbs is turmeric. Turmeric is the dried rhizome powder of the Curcuma longa plant, composed of many phytochemicals (11,12). Concerning the approximate composition, turmeric is composed of water (80-90%), followed by carbohydrates (around 13%), proteins (2%), minerals (2%), and lipids (<1%) (13).…”

“…The most significant curcuminoid, to which the most healing properties of turmeric are attributed, is curcumin, which was first extracted from turmeric in 1815, and its molecular formula was discovered in 1910. Curcumin, with the molecular formula C 21 H 20 O 6 and the chemical name diferuloylmethane, is the most considerable molecule isolated from plants that have been investigated in recent years (12). This molecule is inherently hydrophobic and does not dissolve in water but in substances such as dimethyl sulfoxide, acetone, ethanol, and oil (20).…”