The Effect of Aqueous Extract of Ocimum gratissium (Linn) on 1, 2 - Dimethyl Hydrazine induced Colon Cancer in Male Wistar Rats

Ugochukwu Umeaku,David A Ofusori,Obioma P Umeaku,Tolulope A Edward,Ahmed M S Hegazy

doi:10.14302/issn.2577-2279.ijha-20-3180

Abstract

Background Colon cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death world-wide. There is a steady increase in incidence over the past four decades in developing countries. This has been partly attributed to increasingly low intake of vegetables among other causes. Aims Therefore this study aims to evaluate the protective effect of aqueous extract of Ocimumgratissimum (OG) leaves (a staple vegetable) on experimental model of colon carcinogenesis induced with 1, 2 Dimethylhydrazine (DMH). This is compared with celecoxib (a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor) which is used in the chemoprevention of colon cancer. Methods Sixty adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups: A to F, n=10. Group A was the normal control, Group B was given only DMH weekly for 16 weeks,Groups C, D and E were given graded doses of OG for two weeks prior to cancer induction by DMH. After which both OG and DMH were given for 16weeks. Group F received celecoxib daily for two weeks prior to cancer induction. Colonic wall was analysed grossly, histologically and biochemically. The induced lesions were staged investigated and staged using Duke’s Staging method. Results The result showed tumour incidence in groups B and C while no evidence of primary colonic tumour was observed in groups A, D, E and F. There was a dose dependent increase in the goblet cell count in the groups treated with OG with group E being statistically higher than group F. There was a significant reduction in collagen staining intensity (F = 129.74, p < 0.0001) for the colonic wall in group B when compared to other groups. There was a decreased nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio in groups C, D, E and F when compared to group B. There was a significant increase in the concentration of nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2in group B when compared to other groups D, E and F. Conclusion In conclusion, this research showed a protective effect of Ocimumgratissimum leaves on 1, 2-dimethylhydrazine-induced colon cancer which further corroborated its ethno-medicinal use.

Highlights

Cancer is still a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the world[1]
This is compared with celecoxib which is used in the chemoprevention of colon cancer
The result showed tumour incidence in groups B and C while no evidence of primary colonic tumour was observed in groups A, D, E and F

Summary

Introduction

Cancer is still a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the world[1]. This condition is worse in developing countries like Nigeria which still have a poor health care delivery system[2]. The incidence of colon cancer in Nigeria though much less when compared to the western world, has been increasing steadily over the past four decades. This has been partly attributed to westernization of the traditional Nigerian diet among other causes. Its incidence in Nigeria has increased from 18.4 per annum between 1954-1969 to 86.8 per annum between 1991-20074 It is the second commonest cause of cancer death in the United States, only after cancer of the lungs[5]. There is a steady increase in incidence over the past four decades in developing countries This has been partly attributed to increasingly low intake of vegetables among other causes

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion