The effect of the aqueous extract of the roots of Asparagus racemosus on hepatocarcinogenesis initiated by diethylnitrosamine

Abstract

Histopathological studies of the hepatic tissues of Wistar rats treated with diethylnitrosamine (DEN) (200 mg/kg b wt, i.p.) once a week for 2 weeks, followed by treatment with DDT, a tumor promoter (0.05% in diet) for 2 weeks and kept under observation for another 18 weeks, demonstrated the development of malignancy. Pretreatment of Wistar rats with the aqueous extract of the roots of Asparagus racemosus prevented the incidence of hepatocarcinogenesis. Immunohistochemical staining of the hepatic tissues of rats treated with DEN showed the presence of p53+ foci (clusters of cells expressing the mutated p53 protein), whereas an absence of p53+ foci was observed in Wistar rats pretreated with the aqueous extract of the roots of Asparagus racemosus. The microsections of the hepatic tissue of rats treated with DEN followed by treatment with the aqueous extract of Asparagus racemosus showed an absence of p53+ foci. The results of the biochemical determinations also show that pretreatment of Wistar rats with the aqueous extract of Asparagus racemosus leads to the amelioration of oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity brought about by treatment with DEN. These results prove that the aqueous extract of the roots of Asparagus racemosus has the potential to act as an effective formulation to prevent hepatocarcinogenesis induced by treatment with DEN.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Herbal Treatment May Have a Relevant Impact on the Prognosis of Patients With Stage IV Adenocarcinoma of the Lung Treated With Platinum-Based Chemotherapy or Combined Targeted Therapy and Chemotherapy

“…Details of some of the herbs are reported in several studies. [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26] Side effects of TCM herbs used were minimal and consisted of mild temporary abdominal distension, nausea, and diarrhea. There were no toxic or allergic effects.…”

Characterization and in vitro immunomodulatory screening of fructo-oligosaccharides of Asparagus racemosus Willd.

“…It is one of the most popular herbs in Ayurvedic system of medicine and is abundantly found in the forests in India [2]. Increasing commercial demands have led to the cultivation of the plant in the central and northern parts of the country [3]. The genus Asparagus includes about 300 species around the world.…”

Isolation, structure elucidation and biotransformation studies on secondary metabolites from Asparagus racemosus

“…The results of the biochemical determinations also show that pretreatment on rats with the aqueous extract of Asparagus racemosus leads to the amelioration of oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity brought about by treatment with diethylnitrosamine. These results prove that the aqueous extract of the roots of Asparagus racemosus has the potential to act as an effective formulation to prevent hepatocarcinogenesis induced by treatment with diethylnitrosamine [3]. Five steroidal saponins, shatavarins VI-X, together with five known saponins, shatavarin I (or asparoside B), shatavarin IV (or asparinin B), shatavarin V, immunoside and schidigerasaponin D5 (or asparanin A), are the chemical constituent available roots of Asparagus racemosus [4].…”