Inhibitory Effect of Nelumbo nucifera Leaf Extract on 2-Acetylaminofluorene-induced Hepatocarcinogenesis Through Enhancing Antioxidative Potential and Alleviating Inflammation in Rats

Abstract

Leaf extract of Nelumbo nucifera (NLE) has been demonstrated to possess anti-atherosclerosis, improve alcohol-induced steatohepatitis, prevent high-fat diet-induced obesity, and inhibit the proliferation and metastasis of human breast cancer cells. This study determines the chemopreventive role of NLE against 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in rats. AAF was used to induce hepatocarcinogenesis in rats through genetic and nongenetic effects. After administration for 12 weeks, NLE (0.5–2%) supplementation orally inhibited AAF (0.03%)-induced hepatic fibrosis which appears during the development of premalignant lesions in rats. After the 6-month experiment, NLE supplementation resulted in decreasing AAF-induced serum parameters of hepatic injury, including the level of triglycerides, total cholesterol, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and inflammatory mediator interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α as well as the activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (γGT). NLE supplementation also reduced AAF-induced lipid peroxidation and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) formation in the rat liver. Hepatic histopathological investigation revealed that NLE supplementation attenuated the AAF-induced HCC and glutathione S-transferase-Pi (GST-Pi) expression. Furthermore, NLE supplementation increased the expression of transcription factor, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and its downstream targets, including catalase, glutathion peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD-1) in the rat liver. Our findings indicate that NLE supplementation inhibited AAF-induced hepatocarcinogenesis by enhancing antioxidative potential and alleviating inflammation in rats.

Mulberry leaves extract ameliorates alcohol-induced liver damages through reduction of acetaldehyde toxicity and inhibition of apoptosis caused by oxidative stress signals

“…Ten μL liver homogenates were subjected to analyze the SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px activities as in previous reports 17 , 18 . CAT was measured by adding 0.03 M H2O2, and the absorption was detected at 240 nm.…”

<i>Nelumbo nucifera</i> Leaf Extracts Inhibit Melanogenesis in B16 Melanoma Cells and Guinea Pigs through Downregulation of CREB/MITF Activation

“…In decade, our laboratory dedicated to the research on the health care of Nelumbo nucifera leaves. We found that GA is the major ingredients of Nelumbo nucifera leave extracts (NLE) via HPLC analysis, and demonstrated that NLE improved hepatic injuries, atherosclerosis, obesity, breast cancer, diabetes, and hepatocarcinogenesis [13,14,15,16,17,18]. In this study, we attempted to confirm the anti-melanogenesis of NLE and GA in B16F1 melanoma cells, and we revealed that NLE exerted a better inhibition of melanogenesis than GA.…”

The Nrf-2/HO-1 Signaling Axis: A Ray of Hope in Cardiovascular Diseases

“…Yang et al demonstrated that the leaf extract of Nelumbo nucifera (NLE) possesses anti-atherosclerosis properties. e supplementation of NLE also increases the expression of Nrf2 and its downstream targets [47]. Hence, using NLE to upregulate the function of Nrf2 can be developed into a rational treatment for atherosclerosis.…”

“…Strengthens antioxidative potential and alleviates inflammation [47] Enhances the expression of HO-1 [48] Mediates atherosclerosis by saturated fatty acids [49] Arrhythmia Produces antioxidant enzymes to reverse oxidative damage [52] Activates the NO pathway [53] Hypertensive heart disease…”