In vivo attenuation of angiogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma by Nigella sativa

Abstract

Background/aim: Angiogenesis is imperative in malignant tumor growth. Hepatocellular carcinoma is a typical hypervascular tumor that relies on angiogenesis. The aim of this study is to investigate the in vivo molecular mechanism underlying the antitumor properties of Nigella sativa ethanolic extract (NSEE) through its antiangiogenic effect against diethyl nitrosamine (DENA)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis. Materials and methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: normal, NSEE, DENA, and NSEE-DENA groups. Final body weight, hepatosomatic indices, serum AFP, serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels, and liver tissue hepatocyte growth factor ß (HGFß) protein expression were estimated. Liver sections were stained for histological examination. AFP levels with the histological variations were chosen to confirm cancer development. Results: DENA significantly increased liver weight, hepatosomatic indices, serum AFP and VEGF levels, and liver HGFß protein expression and significantly decreased final body weight. These effects were significantly reversed by NSEE. Furthermore, the histopathological changes that appeared in rat livers due to DENA were reduced by NSEE without harmful effects when taken alone. Conclusion: The results of the present investigation provide evidence that the in vivo antiangiogenic effect of NSEE through downregulation of serum VEGF and liver HGFß protein could be implicated in its antitumor activity. Its consumption has health benefits that favor liver cancer management. These findings might prove useful and helpful for the progression of therapies for hepatocarcinogenesis treatment.

Nigella sativa L. (Black Cumin): A Promising Natural Remedy for Wide Range of Illnesses

“…Chronic inflammation has been implicated in various chronic illnesses [(cancer, cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and asthma) that involve progressive and irreversible damage to the cell and/or neurons] as well as in many infectious conditions [99, 100]. Therefore, the crucial role of anti-inflammatory actions of different N. sativa preparations and TQ might be the possible sources for the development of a new generation of anti-inflammatory agent to treat these wide ranging conditions.…”

Is there any potential anticancer effect of raloxifene and fluoxetine on DMBA‐induced rat breast cancer?

“…VEGF is one of the best‐supported angiogenesis signaling pathways identified as positive regulators and is a selective cytokine which acts only on vascular endothelial cells. The level of VEGF correlated with the clinical course of the disease in various tumor tips .…”

“…The VEGF family is a significant target of antiangiogenic agents. VEGF released from extracellular matrix chiefly targets endothelial cells and is produced by cancer cells to mediate angiogenesis and metastasis of tumor cells …”

“…VEGF released from extracellular matrix chiefly targets endothelial cells and is produced by cancer cells to mediate angiogenesis and metastasis of tumor cells. [5] M-CSF, a secreted cytokine, regulates the growth and differentiation of hematopoietic progenitor cells and functionally activates mature macrophages or neutrophils. [8] It functions in the production of monocytes; but in pathological cases, induces cancer cell growth.…”

Single-Cell Transcriptomes Reveal Characteristic Features of Mouse Hepatocytes with Liver Cholestatic Injury

“…In our scRNA-seq data, we found BDL-6 hepatocytes were also involved in these processes. Angiogenesis, the sprouting of new vessels from preexisting ones, is an essential pathophysiological process required for embryogenesis, growth, regeneration, and wound healing [40]. It has been reported that liver injury and pathological angiogenesis are interdependent processes that occur in parallel.…”