Abstract
Currently, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Among the treatment alternatives are phytomedicines. Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb) is a herbal medicine with antioxidant and antiproliferative properties reported in different “in vitro” models of cancer, so, it could be used to treat HCC. However, recent studies show that it can also have carcinogenic effects. Therefore, through the quantification of the enzymes ALT and AST, serum markers of hepatocellular damage, the impact of EGb was evaluated in a model of hepatocarcinogenesis in the initiation and promotion stages in male rats of the Wistar strain. For this, 21 two-month-old Wistar male rats were used, separated into seven groups. The administration of DEN induced hepatocarcinogenesis for the initiation stage and 2-AAF for the promotion stage. Subjects underwent a 96-hour fast before DEN administration to induce cell proliferation. Group 1 was not administered with any treatment (intact); group 2 received only the vehicle (control); from the third to the seventh group, they were issued with the carcinogens DEN (day 0; initiation) and 2-AAF (6 doses, one every third day from day 14; promotion). Groups 4 and 5 received 160 and 500 mg/kg of EGb from day one until the completion of treatment, while groups 6 and 7 were administered with 160 and 500 mg/kg of EGb from day 14 until the completion of the model. At the end of the treatment (day 40), blood was obtained, and the ALT and AST enzymes’ values were quantified.
Highlights
hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is considered one of the leading causes of death globally, being the third type of cancer with the highest mortality [1].Current treatments for HCC have proven to be inadequate because they risk generating undesirable effects, being an example of these medications, corticosteroids, and interferon, in addition to the fact that they are costly
When analyzing the enzyme Aspartate aminotransferase (AST or GOT), an increase was observed in the groups with the administration of Ginkgo biloba extract both in the initiation and promotion stages with the doses of 160 and 500 mg/kg (G4-G7), in contrast to the results shown in the intact and control groups
Concerning Alanine aminotransferase (ALT or GPT), an enzyme located mainly in the cytosol of hepatocytes, the post hoc test showed an increase in serum levels in groups with cancer and administration of Ginkgo biloba extract in both stages with the doses of 160 and 500 mg/kg (G3-G7), without this increase being significant in group 7 (Table 1)
Summary
HCC is considered one of the leading causes of death globally, being the third type of cancer with the highest mortality (more than one million deaths per year) [1].Current treatments for HCC have proven to be inadequate because they risk generating undesirable effects, being an example of these medications, corticosteroids, and interferon, in addition to the fact that they are costly. HCC is considered one of the leading causes of death globally, being the third type of cancer with the highest mortality (more than one million deaths per year) [1]. Ginkgo biloba (EGb) extract is recognized for being rich in antioxidants and reducing oxidative stress, inducing cytotoxicity and apoptosis, and inhibiting cell proliferation in “in vitro” models of breast and pancreatic cancer cell lines, among others [3,4]. Recent studies have shown that it can increase the incidence of different types of cancer, including HCC [5]. Hepatocarcinogenesis is induced through different “in vivo” models that combine the use of substances such as Diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and 2-Acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF), in
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