Pomegranate Juice Prevents the Formation of Lung Nodules Secondary to Chronic Cigarette Smoke Exposure in an Animal Model

Abstract

Background Cigarette smoke (CS) induces an oxidative stress, DNA damage, and lung cancer. Pomegranate juice (PJ) possess potent antioxidant activity attributed to its polyphenols. We investigated whether PJ supplementation would prevent the formation of lung nodules, attenuate mitotic activity, and reduce hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) expression secondary to CS exposure in an animal model. Methods Mice were divided into: Control group, CS group, CS + PJ group, and PJ-only group. CS and CS + PJ were exposed to CS, 5 days per week, for a total of 5 months. Animals were then housed for additional four months. CS + PJ and PJ groups received PJ throughout the experiment period while others received placebo. At the end of the experiment, the incidence of lung nodules was assessed by (1) histological analysis, (2) mitotic activity [measurement of PHH3 antibodies], and (3) measurement of HIF-1α expression. Results The incidence of lung nodules was significantly increased in CS. CS exposure significantly increased PHH3 and HIF-1α expression. PJ supplementation attenuated the formation of lung nodules and reduced PHH3 and HIF-1α expression. Conclusion PJ supplementation significantly decreased the incidence of lung cancer, secondary to CS, prevented the formation of lung nodules, and reduced mitotic activity and HIF-1α expression in an animal model.

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Role of diabetes in lung injury from acute exposure to electronic cigarette, heated tobacco product, and combustible cigarette aerosols

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Molecular Insights into Potential Contributions of Natural Polyphenols to Lung Cancer Treatment

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“…Magnolol and polyphenol mixture derived from Magnolia officinali significantly suppressed the expression levels and function of class I histone deacetylases (HDACs) and enriched the histone acetyl mark (H3K27ac) in the promoter region of DR5, which is a key protein in the death receptor signaling pathway [177]. Pomegranate concentrate that was administered via drinking bottle to cigarette smoking (CS)-exposed mice prevented the formation of CS-induced lung nodules by reducing the mitotic activity and HIF-1αexpression in CS-exposed animals [178]. Oral administration of Achyranthes aspera (PCA) extract to urethane primed lung cancerous mice increased the expression and activities of antioxidant enzymes GST, GR, CAT, and SOD, decreased the expression and activity of LDH, downregulated the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, along with TFs, NF-κB, and Stat3, and increased expression of Bax and p53 [179].…”