Chemopreventive effect of Fumaria indica that modulates the oxidant-antioxidant imbalance during N-nitrosodiethylamine and CC14-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in Wistar rats

Abstract

ObjectiveTo investigation the chemopreventive efficiency of Fumaria indica extract (FIE) on the antioxidant status of N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) and CCl4-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in Wistar rats. MethodsThe experimental animals were divided into six groups (n = 6). HCC was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of NDEA in normal saline at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight followed by weekly subcutaneous injections of CCl4 (3 mL/kg/week) for 6 weeks, as the promoter of carcinogenic effect. After administration of the carcinogen, 200 and 400 mg/kg of FIE were administered orally once a day throughout the study. At the end of 20 weeks, the body weight, liver weight and relative liver weight were measured. The level of hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) formation, reduced glutathione (GSH) and the activities of antioxidant enzymes viz. CAT, SOD, GPx, and GST in the liver of NDEA and CCL4-treated rats were assessed. ResultsObtained results demonstrated that the cotreatment with FIE (200 and 400 mg/kg) significantly prevented the decrease of the body weight and also increased in relative liver weight caused by NDEA and CCl4 administration. FIE also significantly prevented hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) formation and reduced glutathione (GSH) in NDEA-treated rats which were dose dependent. Additionally, FIE also markedly increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as CAT, SOD, GPx, and GST in the liver of NDEA and CCL4-treated rats. ConclusionsThese finding powerfully supports that Fumaria indica exert a chemopreventive effect by reversing the oxidant-antioxidant imbalance during hepatocarcinogenesis induced by NDEA and CCl4.