Moringa olifera was shown to exert anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective properties, and
anticancer activity. This study was done to investigate the protective effects of moringa olifera on
Diethylnitrosamine (DEN) induced Hepatocellular carcinoma in rats. Fourty five male albino rats
were divided into three groups. Group (normal control group): rats administered distilled water
only. Group II: rats received diethylnitrosoamine (200 mg/kg b.wt/i.p), two weeks later rats
received (2 ml/kg b.wt) Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) orally at 1:1 dilution in corn oil as a promoter
of carcinogenic effect. DEN and CCl4 injections were repeated once again after 1 month from first
DEN injection. Group III: rats received DEN then treated with moringa at a dose level of (500
mg/kg b.wt/orally) dissolved in distilled water for 6 weeks. All animals were sacrificed after the end
of experiment. DEN induced HCC showed significant increase in hepatic marker enzymes (ALT
and ALP), total bilirubin and alpha fetoprotein (AFP) with marked decrease in serum albumin
concentration. Also, the results of molecular analysis of liver tissue revealed significant upregulation
in TNF-α gene expression level. Conversely, down-regulation in tumor suppressor gene
p53 and Cyp2E1 gene expression compared with control group. Treatment with moringa olifera to
DEN induced HCC protects the liver cells from damage by regulating the biochemical parameters.
These findings suggest the potential efficacy of moringa as an additional chemopreventive agent in
treatment of hepatocellular carcionoma via initiation of tumor suppressor gene (P53) and
modulating the metabolic activation of detoxification Enzyme (cytochrome P450 2E1) and antiinflammatory
effect. |
