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Anticarcinogenic activity of selenium-enriched green tea extracts in vivo
Juan Xu1, Fangmei Yang, Xinxin An
1College of Food Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
Both selenium and green tea have been shown to have potential antitumor effects. Here we have investigated the anticarcinogenic effect of the selenium-enriched green tea extract (Se-TE) in a Kunming mice model transplanted with human hepatoma cells HepG2. Mice were assigned to 8 groups consisting of 10 mice each after tumor cell inoculation. The control group received only water, whereas the remaining groups received regular green tea extract (RT), Se-TE which was produced by fertilization with selenite on tea leaves, selenite, and RT + selenite. After the mice were fed intragastrically with these agents for 8 days, tumor growth in RT-, Se-TE-, and selenite-fed mice was significantly suppressed, compared with that in control mice (P < 0.001). Supplementation with Se-TEs and selenite was able to elevate mice blood and liver Se concentrations, but did not significantly enhance selenoprotein glutathione peroxidase and other antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase activity in mice blood and liver. These results suggest that the antitumor function of Se-TEs may be attributed to the oxidative stress induced by selenium and green tea components in a suitable selenium supplementation pathway.
Insights
Selenium-enriched green tea extract (Se-TE) demonstrated significant antitumor effects against human hepatoma cells in mice. This suggests Se-TE holds promise for cancer prevention and treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Nutritional Biochemistry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Both selenium and green tea exhibit potential antitumor properties.
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a significant global health challenge.
- Investigating novel therapeutic strategies for HCC is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the anticarcinogenic effect of selenium-enriched green tea extract (Se-TE).
- To assess Se-TE's efficacy in a human hepatoma cell (HepG2) xenograft mouse model.
Main Methods:
- Kunming mice were inoculated with HepG2 cells and divided into 8 groups.
- Treatment groups received regular green tea extract (RT), Se-TE, selenite, or combinations.
- Mice were administered agents intragastrically for 8 days.
Main Results:
- Se-TE, RT, and selenite significantly suppressed tumor growth compared to controls (P < 0.001).
- Se-TE and selenite increased blood and liver selenium concentrations.
- No significant enhancement in antioxidant enzyme activity (glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase) was observed.
Conclusions:
- Se-TE exhibits significant antitumor activity against human hepatoma xenografts in mice.
- The anticarcinogenic effect may stem from selenium-induced oxidative stress.
- This study highlights a potential therapeutic pathway for hepatocellular carcinoma.
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