Hibiscus-cisplatin combination treatment decreases liver toxicity in rats while increasing toxicity in lung cancer cells via oxidative stress- apoptosis pathway.

Cisplatin (CIS) is a broad-spectrum anti-carcinogen that causes cytotoxic effects both in normal and cancer cells. The purpose of this study was to test whether Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) extract can reduce CIS-induced hepatotoxicity in rodents and to assess its anticancer activity in vitro. Treatment with HS extract at daily doses of 500 mg/kg before and after a single dose of CIS (10 mg/kg) reduced hepatotoxicity in Wistar male albino rats. HS extract reduced activity of hepatic damage marker enzymes ( i.e. alanine and aspartate aminotransferases), necrosis, and apoptosis in liver tissues of CIS-treated rats. This hepatic protection was associated with reduced oxidative stress in liver tissues. The antioxidant effects of HS were manifested as a normalization of malondialdehyde levels and glutathione levels which were all raised after CIS-induction. In addition, HS treatment resulted in a decrease of catalase, and superoxide dismutase activity. The combined effects of CIS and HS were also studied in two human lung cancer cell lines (A549 and H460). Treatment with HS (20 µg /mL) enhanced the cytotoxic activity of CIS both in A549 and H460 cell lines. Interestingly, HS increased CIS-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress more clearly in A549 cells indicating that HS extract in combination with CIS could increase the efficacy of CIS in the treatment of cancer.

Salvadora persica attenuates DMBA-induced mammary cancer through downregulation oxidative stress, estrogen receptor expression and proliferation and augmenting apoptosis.

Naturally occurring phytochemicals especially polyphenolic compounds have received increasing attention as chemopreventive agents. The chemopreventive potential of the ethanolic extract of Salvadora persica L. fruits SP, (the arak tree or miswak) on 7,12-dimethylbenz (a) anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary carcinogenesis in female albino rats was investigated in this work. Ethanolic extract of SP fruits was supplemented to the experimental groups at a concentration of 500 mg/kg body weight for 22 weeks. Administration of SP extract suppressed DMBA-induced mammary carcinogenesis as revealed by incidence of tumors in histological investigation. There was a significant reduction in cell proliferation and an increase in apoptosis with downregulation of estrogen receptor expression in the mammary tissue of SP-treated animals. Additionally, SP extract prevented the oxidative damage induced in breast tissues of DMBA-treated rats. SP treatment also decreased the viability of MCF-7 breast cancer cells and induced early and late apoptosis and induced S cell cycle arrest. The chemo-preventive properties and anticancer effects of SP could be attributed to its anti-oxidative and a high percentage of phenolic compounds and esters which were detected here in the SP fruit extract.

Hawthorn Herbal Preparation from Crataegus oxyacantha Attenuates In Vivo Carbon Tetrachloride -Induced Hepatic Fibrosis via Modulating Oxidative Stress and Inflammation.

Hawthorn (HAW) is a herbal preparation extracted from Crataegus oxyacantha. HAW has cardioprotective, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hypotensive effects. HAW's effect on hepatic fibrosis remains, however, unknown. This study evaluated the impact of HAW on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats and elucidated its mechanisms. HAW reduced liver index and the serum liver enzyme markers and reduced liver damage, and fibrosis as confirmed by histopathological scoring of hematoxylin-eosin staining. Collagen deposition was reduced in HAW group compared to CCl4 group as confirmed by Masson staining, hydroxyproline content, and both mRNA and protein levels of alpha-smooth muscle actin, collagen 1 and 3. HAW also down regulated the gene expressions of inflammatory markers including interleukin-IL-1ß, tumor necrosis factor-α, transforming growth factor-ß 1, nuclear factor kappa-B, and cyclooxygenase-2 and decreased the myeloperoxidase activity. The effects of HAW was also associated with decreased levels of hepatic oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde and P.Carbonyl) and with increased activity of superoxide dismutase. Those effects are possibly mediated by blocking the pro-oxidant machinery and down regulating the inflammatory and profibrotic responses. Finally, chlorogenic acid, epicatechin, rutin, vitexin quercetin, and iso quercetin were identified as the major species of polyphenols of the HAW herbal preparation used here. Therefore, HAW's potent protecting effects against liver fibrosis predicts a significant beneficial application.