Inhibition of Cox-2 Expression by Lunasin-Rich Soybean Extract on Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

Objective: The incidence of colorectal cancer has been growing faster than most other cancers in the past decade, especially in developing countries. One of the substances that is currently being investigated as potential chemopreventive agent is lunasin, which is contained in soybeans. This research explored the effect of lunasin on COX-2 expression in the distal colons of mice in which colorectal carcinogenesis was induced with azoxymethane (AOM) and dextran sodium sulfate (DSS).
 Methods: A total of 30 Swiss Webster mice were separated into six groups. In five of the groups—a negative control group, positive control group, and three intervention groups—carcinogenesis was induced with AOM and DSS; the sixth group received no interventions. Lunasin-rich soybean extracts were given in doses of 250, 300, and 350 mg/kgBW for 6 w to the intervention groups Immunohistochemical staining of COX-2 was then carried out on tissue samples from the distal colons of mice that had been sacrificed. The samples were microscopically assessed and photographed, and cell counts were performed using the Image J application. COX-2 expression is reported in the form of an optical density score (ODS).
 Results: Significant differences between the negative control and the intervention groups were found at the 300 mg/kgBW (p = 0.047) and 350 mg/kgBW (p = 0.016) lunasin dosage levels.
 Conclusions: This demonstrates that administration of lunasin-rich soy extracts can inhibit COX-2 expression in cryptic epithelial cells of the distal colon in mice with carcinogenesis induced by AOM and DSS.

Profiling of Metabolites in a Fermented Soy Dietary Supplement Reinforces its Role in the Management of Intestinal Inflammation

“…[91] Concurrently, classical ER signaling is tied to cell growth, proliferation, and wound healing, [92] where gastric damage models show score improvement after administration of estradiol via ER𝛼 and ER𝛽. [93] Other soy-derived fractions like lunasin reduce inflammation, histopathologic parameters, and COX-2 expression, [94] and prevent LPS-induced inflammation. [95] Lunasin can pass through the intestinal barrier intact [96] and is found rapidly in the sera of healthy male subjects after ingestion of soy protein, [97] Figure 3.…”

“…Other soy‐derived fractions like lunasin reduce inflammation, histopathologic parameters, and COX‐2 expression, [ 94 ] and prevent LPS‐induced inflammation. [ 95 ] Lunasin can pass through the intestinal barrier intact [ 96 ] and is found rapidly in the sera of healthy male subjects after ingestion of soy protein, [ 97 ] suggesting that a systemic effect is possible.…”

Fermentation of Soybean Seeds Using Rhizopus Oligosporus for Tempeh Production and Standardization Based on Isoflavones Content

“…Soybean is also known as golden beans [3]. Soybean also contains lunasin, a polypeptide that can inhibit the expression of COX-2 enzyme in cryptic epithelial cells of the distal colon in mice that have been induced with carcinogen [4]. Soybean extract combined with probiotics significantly improves women's climacteric symptoms and sexuality [5].…”

Lunasin Peptide is a Modulator of the Immune Response in the Human Gastrointestinal Tract

“…[ 17–20 ] Indeed, it has been recently suggested that a lunasin‐enriched soybean extract may reduce the histopathological inflammatory index and the expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2 in murine models of dextran sodium sulfate induced colitis. [ 21 ]…”