Protective effects of Persea americana fruit and seed extracts against chemically induced liver cancer in rats by enhancing their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and apoptotic activities

Osama M Ahmed,Eman E Mohamed,Adel Abdel-Moneim,Hanaa I Fahim

doi:10.1007/s11356-022-18902-y

Osama M Ahmed, Eman E Mohamed + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-18902-y

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Abstract

This study aims to explore the chemopreventive mechanisms of hydroethanolic extracts from avocado (Persea Americana) in diethylnitrosamine (DEN)/2-acetylaminofluorene (2AAF)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis. Chemical induction of hepatocarcinogenesis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of DEN at 150 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) twice a week for a fortnight, followed by oral administration of 2AAF at 20 mg/kg b.w. four times a week for 3 weeks. Rats administered DEN/2AAF were orally treated with hydroethanolic extracts of avocado fruits and seeds at a dose of 50 mg/kg b.w. every other day for 20 weeks. Moreover, rats administered DEN/2AAF and treated with avocado extracts revealed a marked decrease in liver enzyme activities, total bilirubin levels, and elevated liver tumor markers, but revealed an increase in total protein and albumin levels. The hepatocytes with hyperchromatic and bile duct cystadenoma observed in the liver of rats administered DEN/2AAF were reduced due to treatment with avocado extracts. Furthermore, the treatments prevented the elevation of lipid peroxidation levels and ameliorated the lowered glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, superoxide dismutase activities, and glutathione content in the liver tissues. Also, antigen Ki-67, cyclooxygenase-2, and nuclear factor kappa-B expression levels were decreased, but of the suppressor proteins p53 and BAX levels were increased in the liver of rats administered DEN/2AAF and treated with avocado extracts. In conclusion, the current results demonstrated that avocado extracts could abate hepatocarcinogenesis in rats administered DEN/2AAF through activation of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and apoptotic properties.

Highlights

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer in the world and the second leading cause of mortality from cancer
DEN/2AAF administration to rats led to a marked increase in enzymes activities of serum liver function (GGT, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT), and AST) compared to the normal group
The current results agree with Mohamed and Amr (2013) and Gouegni and Abubakar (2013), who reported that liver function enzyme activities were significantly reduced after administration of avocado extracts

Summary

Introduction

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer in the world and the second leading cause of mortality from cancer Global health observatory 2018) and it has been estimated to be responsible for nearly 9.1% of the total deaths The antioxidants reduce the levels of oxidative stress via reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging mechanisms (Simunkova et al 2019). Environmental Science and Pollution Research may be damaged by ROS, thereby altering their functions. Oxidative stress occurs when the equilibrium between ROS development and antioxidant protection is disrupted (Jelic et al 2020). Unregulated and continuous liver imbalances among ROS production and ROS removal by protective mechanisms (antioxidants) lead to chronic disease and damage to vital biomolecules and cells (Reyes-Gordillo et al 2017). Phytonutrients are herbal nutrients or phytochemicals with possible health benefits to preserve the well-being and normal functions of the body and to improve life expectancy (Memariani et al 2020)

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