Effect of Lunasin Extract on Histopathology of Mice Induced with Azoxymethane and Dextran Sodium Sulfate: Focus on Small Intestine Changes

Abstract

Within the last decade, incidence of small bowel cancer has increased by more than fourfold. This number is predicted to steadily rise due to shift in diet and lifestyle. The primary and only definite therapy for small intestine cancer is radical segmental resection, which carries side effects and risks during and after surgery. Current chemotherapy and neoadjuvant therapy do not exert significant result. Lunasin, a novel peptide originated from soybean, is believed to promote cellular health epigenetically and reduce inflammation. There is possibility for lunasin extract to emerge as a new and effective adjuvant therapy for small intestine malignancies. A total of 20 Balb/c mice were divided into four groups. All mice were induced with azoxymethane and dextran sodium sulfate. For the next six weeks, each group was given different concentration of lunasin extract. After eight weeks, the mice were sacrificed. The small intestinal tissue was harvested and stained using hematoxylin-eosin. The amount of hyperplasia, dysplasia, angiogenesis, inflammatory foci, and goblet cells were then observed under the microscope. There is significant difference in the amount of dysplasia (p = 0.000) and angiogenesis (p = 0.009) among the groups that receive different concentrations of lunasin. However, there is no effect of lunasin administration to the amount of hyperplasia, inflammatory foci, and goblet cells. Nondose-dependent administration of lunasin extract improves dysplasia and angiogenesis, but not other factors in small intestine carcinogenesis.