Gene modulation and lipid lowering effects of Spondias monbin stem bark in dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced colorectal carcinogenesis in Wistar rats

Abstract

Colon cancer, often known as colorectal cancer (CRC), is the fourth most common cause of cancer death globally and the third most diagnosed cancer worldwide. This study is aimed at determining the effect of extracts of S. mombin stem bark on molecular biomakers in dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced colon carcinogenesis in Wistar rats. A total of forty (40) male Wistar rats were used for this study. They were grouped into five: Group 1 (normal control), Group 2 (DMH-induced only- negative control), Group 3 (DMH-induced + Xeloda - Standard Drug), Group 4 (DMH-induced + 500mg/kg body weight ethanol extracts of S. mombin stem bark), Group 5 (DMH-induced + 500mg/kg body weight hydroethanol extract of S. mombin stem bark). Extracts of Spondias mombin stem bark demonstrated remarkable anti-cancer properties by the activation of tumor suppressor genes such as phosphatase and tensin (PTEN) activity, Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) and reduction of phosphoinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K) activity and Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). This study also revealed that Spondias mombin stem bark extracts have hypolipidemic activities and, similar to Xeloda, are chemopreventive targets in mediating apoptosis via PI3-K/PTEN signalling pathway regulation in the DMH-induced colon carcinogenesis in Wistar rats. The results of this study also imply that the active ingredients in Spondias mombin plant parts have the ability to reduce serum lipid profiles, including triglycerides and cholesterol, which may be helpful in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases