Geraniol attenuates 4NQO-induced tongue carcinogenesis through downregulating the activation of NF-κB in rats.

Geraniol, an acyclic monoterpene found in lemon grass and aromatic herb oil, has been shown to exert antitumor and antioxidant activities against various cancer types. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential chemoprotective role of geraniol against 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4NQO)-induced oral carcinogenesis in male Wistar rats and furthermore to study anti-inflammatory mechanisms of action through possible NF-κB signaling. 4NQO was administered to rats at the dose of 50 ppm through drinking water to induce tongue cancer in 20 weeks. 4NQO provoked inflammation by upregulating the expressions of the p65 subunit nuclear factor kappa-ß (NF-κB) in the nucleus, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Additionally, staining for immature and mature mast cells in cancer niche by toluidine blue staining and alcian blue-safranin staining showed more accumulation. Co-treatment of geraniol 200 mg/kg b.w. showed a significant decrease in the level of p65 NF-κB in the nucleus, and this might be due to the inhibition of NF-κB activation/translocation into nucleus, which was further confirmed by decreased immature and mature mast cell density and the expression of inflammatory downstream mediators such as TNF-α, IL-1ß, COX-2, and iNOS. Collectively, our results suggested that geraniol as a potential anti-inflammatory agent having the capability to obstruct 4NQO initiated NF-κB activation and modulated the expression of inflammatory mediators.

Anti-Oxidative Effect of Myrtenal in Prevention and Treatment of Colon Cancer Induced by 1, 2-Dimethyl Hydrazine (DMH) in Experimental Animals.

Colon cancer is considered as the precarious forms of cancer in many developed countries, with few to no symptoms; the tumor is often diagnosed in the later stages of cancer. Monoterpenes are a major part of plant essential oils found largely in fruits, vegetables and herbs. The cellular and molecular activities show therapeutic progression that may reduce the risk of developing cancer by modulating the factors responsible for colon carcinogenesis. Colon cancer was induced with DMH with a dose of (20 mg/Kg/body weight) for 15 weeks by subcutaneous injection once in a week. Myrtenal treatment was started with (230 mg/Kg/body weight) by intragastric administration, one week prior to DMH induction and continued till the experimental period of 30 weeks. The Invivo results exhibit the elevated antioxidant and lipid peroxidation levels in DMH treated animals. The Histopathological analysis of colon tissues well supported the biochemical alterations and inevitably proves the protective role of Myrtenal. Treatment with myrtenal to cancer bearing animals resulted in a remarkable increase in the inherent antioxidants and excellent modulation in the morphological and physiological nature of the colon tissue. It is thus concluded that myrtenal exhibits excellent free radical scavenging activity and anticancer activity through the suppression of colon carcinoma in Wistar albino rats.