Portulaca oleracea chemopreventive effects in rats injected with 1, 2 dimethylhydrazine (824.3)

Abstract

Purslane (Portulcace Oleracea) is a widely eaten medicinal plant. This study investigated the chemopreventative effects of purslane in rats injected subcutaneously with dimethylhydrazine (DMH. The objective of this study were: 1) To determine the effects of purslane on colon‐induced carcinogenesis by 1, 2‐Dimethylhydrazine injections; 2) To determine the effects of three levels of purslane‐base diets (PBD) on colon neoplasia, ki67, and cyclooxygenase‐2 expression; 3) To determine the effects of three levels of PBD on prostate function and prostate specific antigen (PSA). Forty animals were divided among four treatment groups and fed PBD for eight weeks. The animals were injected subcutaneously with dimethylhydrazine (20 mg/kg body weight) two times per week for three weeks to stimulate cancer development. Prostates and serum were collected for prostate serum antigen level determination and prostate function. Colon tissues were processed for ki67, and cyclooxygenase 2 immunohistochemical analyses. Levels of prostate serum antigen (PSA), and prostate weight decreased, as purslane levels increased. Expression of ki67 and COX‐2 varied among treatment groups however, ki67 and COX‐2 expression was highest among groups with histological lesions suggestive of lymphoma. No colon cancer was identified however, suggestive lymphoma carcinogenesis was highest among animals fed the 5 % PBD compared to the 7 %. Purslane may be effective in the reduction of weight gain, prostate serum antigen level, and prostate weight, however, no protective effect was observed for lymphoma carcinogenesis and its effect on colon cancer is unclear.