Ethanolic neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf extract induces apoptosis in the hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis model by modulation of Bcl-2, Bim, caspase 8 and caspase 3.

Induction of apoptosis is one of the most active strategies in cancer chemoprevention and the ability of medicinal plants in this regard has attracted major research interest. The present study was designed to investigate the apoptosis inducing capacity of an ethanolic neem leaf extract (ENLE) during 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis using the apoptosis-associated proteins Bcl-2, Bim, caspase 8 and caspase 3 as markers. Topical application of DMBA to the hamster cheek pouch for 14 weeks resulted in well developed squamous cell carcinomas associated with increased expression of Bcl-2 and decreased expression of Bim, caspase 8 and caspase 3. Administration of ENLE inhibited DMBA-induced hamster buccal pouch (HBP) carcinogenesis, as revealed by the absence of neoplasms, with induction of Bim and caspases 8 and 3 and inhibition of Bcl-2 expression. Our results suggest that the chemopreventive effects of ENLE may be mediated by induction of apoptosis.

Tomato and garlic by gavage modulate 7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced genotoxicity and oxidative stress in mice

Chemoprotection by dietary agents is a promising strategy for cancer prevention. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the combined effect of tomato and garlic against 7,12-dimethylbenz- [a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced genetic damage and oxidative stress in 12-14-week-old male Swiss albino mice. The animals were randomized into experimental and control groups and divided into eight groups of five animals each. Group 1 animals were injected intraperitoneally with 35 mg/kg body weight DMBA suspended in peanut oil as a single dose. Groups 2-4 animals received tomato (500 mg/kg body weight), garlic (125 mg/kg body weight) and a combination of tomato and garlic for 5 days by gavage, respectively, followed by DMBA 1.5 h after the final feeding. The doses of tomato and garlic correspond to the average human daily consumption. Animals in groups 5, 6 and 7 received tomato alone, garlic alone and tomato + garlic combination, respectively, for 5 days. Group 8 animals received the same volume of water and served as control. The incidence of bone marrow micronuclei and the extent of lipid peroxidation and the concentrations of antioxidants glutathione, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-S-transferase were measured in the liver, 48 h after DMBA exposure. Increased frequency of micronuclei and enhanced lipid peroxidation accompanied by compromised antioxidant defenses were observed in DMBA-treated animals. Although pretreatment with tomato or garlic significantly reduced the frequency of DMBA-induced bone marrow micronuclei, the combination of tomato and garlic exhibited more profound effect in inhibiting DMBA-induced genotoxicity and oxidative stress. We suggest that a broad spectrum of antimutagenic and anticlastogenic effects can be achieved through an effective combination of functional foods such as tomato and garlic.

Ethanolic neem leaf extract protects against N-methyl -N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine-induced gastric carcinogenesis in Wistar rats.

We evaluated the effects of ethanolic neem leaf extract on N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG)-induced gastric carcinogenesis in Wistar rats. The extent of lipid peroxidation and the status of the antioxidants superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) in the stomach, liver and erythrocytes were used as biomarkers of chemoprevention. Animals were divided into four groups of six animals each. Rats in group 1 were given MNNG (150 mg/kg bw) by intragastric intubation three times with a gap of 2 weeks in between the treatments. Rats in group 2 administered MNNG as in group 1, in addition received intragastric intubation of ethanolic neem leaf extract (200 mg/kg bw) three times per week starting on the day following the first exposure to MNNG and continued until the end of the experimental period. Group 3 animals were given ethanolic neem leaf extract alone, while group 4 served as controls. All the animals were killed after an experimental period of 26 weeks. Diminished lipid peroxidation in the stomach tumour tissue was associated with enhanced antioxidant levels. In contrast to tumour tissue, enhanced lipid peroxidation with compromised antioxidant defences was found in the liver and erythrocytes of tumour bearing animals. Administration of ethanolic neem leaf extract significantly reduced the incidence of stomach tumours, modulated lipid peroxidation and enhanced antioxidant status in the stomach, liver and blood. From the results of our study, we suggest that ethanolic neem leaf extract may exert its chemopreventive effects by modulating lipid peroxidation and enhancing the antioxidant status in the stomach, liver and erythrocytes.

Glycoconjugate profile in plasma and erythrocytes of gastric cancer patients.

The present study has examined the glycoconjugate profile in plasma and erythrocyte membranes of 24 adult male gastric cancer patients and an equal number of age and sex-matched controls. Protein-bound hexose, hexosamine and sialic acid were significantly increased in plasma and erythrocytes of gastric cancer patients compared to controls. Elevation of glycoconjugates in circulation is suggested to be a result of increased shedding by the tumor cells or increased synthesis by liver, due to acute phase response.

Role of life-style on plasma and erythrocyte membrane lipid profile in gastric cancer patients.

The present study has examined the role of life-style on plasma and erythrocyte membrane lipid profile in 25 adult male gastric cancer patients as well as age and sex-matched controls. Total, free and LDH cholesterol were markedly elevated in plasma and erythrocyte membrane whereas HDL cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly reduced in gastric cancer patients. These changes can be attributed to alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking-risk factors in gastric carcinogenesis, associated with low levels of ascorbic acid and vitamin E.

Administration of the plasticizer di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate alters glycoconjugate profile.

This study was undertaken to evaluate the level of glycoproteins and sialic acid in rats fed di (2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP) in the diet for 24 weeks. Protein-bound hexose, hexosamine and sialic acid were increased in plasma and liver of rats treated with DEHP, whereas the erythrocyte membrane showed a reduction following DEHP administration. Evaluation of glycoproteins is a useful indicator of the carcinogenic process. It is suggested that profound alterations in membrane components observed in the present study may be related to the carcinogenic potential of DEHP.