Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a major health challenge due to its late-stage diagnosis and the variability in patient prognosis. This study explores the potential of DNA damage in different parts of colon as a biomarker for CRC. We assessed DNA strand breaks using the alkaline comet assay in 30 male Wister albino rat. Subcutaneous injection of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) (40 mg/kg) for 6 weeks was used for induction the CRC and 5-flurouracil (5-FU); (50 mg/kg, ip once weekly) for 6 weeks as a standard treatment, rats were divided into different groups and were orally administrated Vinca roseus leaves extract (VRLE; 150 and 300 mg/kg, orally) for 6 weeks. Results of tumor markers (carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) and interleukin-6 antigen (IL-6)) and histopathological examination for different parts of colon indicated CRC model and effectiveness of VRLE on genetic material, that revealed DNA damage in colon tissue was significantly higher in CRC compared to healthy controls (mean ± SD %DNA in tail: CRC 23 ± 1.50%; controls 7.3 ± 0.11%; P < 0.05). these findings indicate safety of VRLE regarding genetic aspect view. |
