Abstract
Background: The signaling pathway of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β/SMAD3 plays a crucial role in developing liver and kidney fibrosis. TGF-β is linked to metastasis through SRY-related, high-mobility box (SOX-2). The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of thymol and menthol, two monoterpene compounds, on the SOX-2 expression and TGF-β/SMAD3 signaling in the liver and kidneys of mice after administering diethylnitrosamine (DEN). Methods: The Balb/C male mice, aged 14 days, were administered a single intraperitoneal injection of DEN (25 mg/kg) and then given daily either thymol (10 mg/kg) or menthol (50 mg/kg) for 26 consecutive weeks. The mRNA levels of TGF-β, SMAD3, and SOX-2 were measured after 4 and 26 weeks of treatment. Results: The administration of DEN increased the expressions of TGF-β, SMAD3, and SOX-2 in the liver of animals after 4 and 26 weeks; however, their expressions in the kidneys increased only at the end of the 26th week compared to that of the control group. Thymol and menthol inhibited the expression of TGF-β, SMAD3, and SOX-2 in the liver and kidneys of the mice injected with DEN. Conclusion: Based on the study findings, we concluded that thymol and menthol prevented carcinogenesis induction via expression of DEN in the liver and kidneys by inhibiting the associated expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and SOX-2.
Published Version
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