Evaluation of Chemopreventive Potential of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Butea Monosperma Flowers in 1,2-Dimethyl Hydrazine Induced Colorectal Carcinoma in Rats

Abstract

Aim & Objective: Colorectal cancer is the most common cancer of GI tract which starts in the cells that line inside the colon and rectum. The present study was undertaken to evaluate chemopreventive potential of hydroalcoholic extract of Butea monosperma flowers in 1,2- dimethyl hydrazine induced colorectal carcinoma in wistar rats. Materials & Methods: Hydroalcoholic extracts of flowers of Butea monosperma (BMHE) were prepared and preliminary phytochemical evaluation of extract was carried out by various chemical tests to determine presence of flavonoids and Thin Layer Chromatography. The wistar rats of either sex were divided in five groups: Normal Control (NC), 1,2-Dimethyl Hydrazine control (DMH control), DMH + BMHE (100 mg/kg, p.o), DMH + BMHE (200 mg/kg, p.o), BMHE (200 mg/kg, p.o). For the induction of carcinogenesis, 1,2- dimethyl hydrazine (DMH) was administered to the animals at the dose of 30 mg/kg subcutaneously twice a week for 8 weeks. Hydroalcoholic extracts of flowers of Butea monosperma were given orally once a day from day 0 to day 60 at the doses of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg. The evaluation of extract for its chemopreventive potential in 1,2- dimethyl hydrazine induced colorectal carcinoma in wistar rats was done by estimating biochemical markers in serum like carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cancer antigen 19.9 (CA 19.9), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH); anti-oxidant parameters in colon homogenate like malondaldehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione, catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and histopathological evaluation of colon tissue for the aberrant crypt foci (ACF) after treatment period is over. Results: Administration of 1,2- dimethyl hydrazine caused significant increase in cancer biochemical markers lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and tumor marker CA 19.9. BMHE treatment (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg. p.o) showed significant decrease in LDH and reduction in the level of tumor marker CA 19.9 to normal level as compared to DMH control group. The treatment also showed significant decrease in MDA and significant increase in reduced glutathione, catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) level in colon homogenate as compared to DMH control group. Histopathological evaluation of colon tissue showed hyperplastic Aberrant Crypt Foci (ACF) development in DMH control group which indicates the progression of colorectal carcinogenesis. Treatment withBMHE (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg. p.o) caused inhibited the development of ACF which was measured by quantifying the number of ACF in histopathological slide. Conclusion: From the present study, we can conclude that the hydroalcoholic extract of B.monosperma flowers ameliorates oxidative stress by free radical scavenging property which contributes to its chemopreventive potential. The beneficial effect can be attributed to the flavonoid content like butrine in the hydroalcoholic extract. Hydroalcoholic extract of B.monosperma flowers also inhibits generation of ACF which is a biomarker for colorectal carcinoma and shows low level of tumor promoter marker CA 19.9 in 1,2- dimethyl hydrazine induced colorectal carcinoma which indicates chemopreventive activity of this plant in colorectal carcinoma.