Nabag (Zizyphus spina-christi) Extract Prevents Aberrant Crypt Foci Development in Colons of Azoxymethane-Treated Rats by Abrogating Oxidative Stress and inducing Apoptosis

Abstract

Zizyphus spina-christi (ZSC) fruit is a rich source of bioactive compounds but any medicinal properties in chemoprevention of colon cancer have hitherto not been studied. The aim of the present study was to examine in vivo protective effects of ZSC water extract on colon carcinogenesis in azoxymethane (AOM)-treated rats. Our results showed that ZSC significantly reduced AOM-induced colonic aberrant crypt foci development and AOM-induced oxidative stress as indicated by restoration of endogenous glutathione depletion and abrogating the impairment of total antioxidant capacity. Caspase-3 cleavage, which has been considered as an apoptotic index, was almost undetectable in AOM-treated rats and ZSC exhibited pro-apoptotic effects evidenced by increased levels of cleaved caspase-3. In the studied model, our findings provide the first in vivo evidence that ZSC extract could inhibit the early stage of colon carcinogenesis by preventing oxidative stress and inducing apoptosis.

Luteolin, a Bioflavonoid Inhibits Colorectal Cancer through Modulation of Multiple Signaling Pathways: A Review

“…Finally, these can develop into polyps and eventually into CRC. Plant constituents and their derivatives may exert significant effects on decreasing the incidence of ACF in the colon (Waly et al, 2012;Tammasakchai et al, 2012;Ansil et al, 2013;Guizani et al, 2013;Madrigal-Bujaidar et al, 2013). Treating the animals with luteolin during the AOM-induced CRC animals showed reduced incidence of ACF (Ashokkumar and Sudhandiran, 2008).…”

Dietary Ziziphus jujuba Fruit Influence on Aberrant Crypt Formation and Blood Cells in Colitis-Associated Colorectal Cancer Mice

“…AOM is a specific colon carcinogenic agent that induces the development of ACF in animal models (Guizani et al, 2013). ACF is considered to be precancerous lesions in the colorectum of humans and rodents.…”

“…ACF is considered to be precancerous lesions in the colorectum of humans and rodents. The number of crypts/foci has been shown to increase with time following carcinogenic AOM-treatment, and ACF demonstrate increased colonic cells proliferation (Guizani et al, 2013). The etiology of colon cancer is complicated and includes both genetic and environmental factors among the environmental factors; the dietary habits play a major role (Rajamanickam and Agarwal, 2008).…”

Canola Oil Influence on Azoxymethane-induced Colon Carcinogenesis, Hypertriglyceridemia and Hyperglycemia in Kunming Mice

“…Further, grapefruit juice, and Zizyphus spina-Christi, suppresses AOM induced aberrant crypt foci development (Guizani et al, 2013, Madrigal-Bujaidar et al, 2013.…”