Chemomodulatory effect of Moringa oleifera, Lam, on hepatic carcinogen metabolising enzymes, antioxidant parameters and skin papillomagenesis in mice.

Abstract

The modulatory effects of a hydro-alcoholic extract of drumsticks of Moringa oliefera Lam at doses of 125 mg/kg bodyweight and 250 mg/ kg body weight for 7 and 14 days, respectively, were investigated with reference to drug metabolising Phase I (Cytochrome b(5) and Cytochrome p(450) ) and Phase II (Glutathione-S- transferase) enzymes, anti-oxidant enzymes, glutathione content and lipid peroxidation in the liver of 6-8 week old female Swiss albino mice. Further, the chemopreventive efficacy of the extract was evaluated in a two stage model of 7,12 - dimethylbenz(a)anthracene induced skin papillomagenesis. Significant increase (p<0.05 to p<0.01) in the activities of hepatic cytochrome b(5), cytochrome p(450), catalase, glutathione peroxidase ( GPx ), glutathione reductase (GR), acid soluble sulfhydryl content (-SH ) and a significant decrease ( p<0.01 ) in the hepatic MDA level were observed at both dose levels of treatment when compared with the control values. Glutathione-S- transferase ( GST )activity was found to be significantly increased (p<0.01 ) only at the higher dose level. Butylated hydroxyanisol (BHA ) fed at a dose of 0.75% in the diet for 7 and 14 days (positive control ) caused a significant increase (p<0.05 to p<0.01) in the levels of hepatic phase I and phase II enzymes, anti- oxidant enzymes, glutathione content and a decrease in lipid peroxidation. The skin papillomagenesis studies demonstrated a significant decrease (p<0.05 ) in the percentage of mice with papillomas, average number of papillomas per mouse and papillomas per papilloma bearing mouse when the animals received a topical application of the extract at a dose of 5mg/ kg body weight in the peri-initiation phase 7 days before and 7 days after DMBA application, Group II ), promotional phase (from the day of croton oil application and continued till the end of the experiment, Group III ) and both peri and post initiation stages (from 7 days prior to DMBA application and continued till the end of the experiment, Group IV) compared to the control group (Group I ). The percentage inhibition of tumor multiplicity has been recorded to be 27, 72, and 81 in Groups II, III, and IV, respectively. These findings are suggestive of a possible chemopreventive potential of Moringa oliefera drumstick extract against chemical carcinogenesis.

• Authors: Rupjyoti Bharali, Jawahira Tabassum, Mohammed Rekibul Haque Azad
• Journal: Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention : APJCP (Asian Pac J Cancer Prev) 2003 Apr-Jun Vol. 4 Issue 2 Pg. 131-9 ISSN: 1513-7368 [Print] Thailand
• PMID: 12875626 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antioxidants
• Carcinogens
• Plant Extracts
• 9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene
• Cytochromes b5
• Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System
• Glutathione Reductase
• Glutathione Transferase

Topics

• 9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene
• Animals
• Antioxidants (metabolism)
• Carcinogens
• Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System (metabolism)
• Cytochromes b5 (metabolism)
• Female
• Glutathione Reductase (metabolism)
• Glutathione Transferase (metabolism)
• Liver (metabolism)
• Liver Neoplasms (enzymology)
• Mice
• Moringa oleifera
• Papilloma (chemically induced, prevention & control)
• Plant Extracts (pharmacology)
• Skin Neoplasms (chemically induced, prevention & control)