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Modulatory effect of Gynandropsis gynandra L. on glucose metabolizing enzymes in aflatoxin B1-induced hepatocellular

D Sivanesan1, V Hazeena Begum

  • 1Unit of Biochemistry, Department of Siddha Medicine, Faculty of Science, Tamil University, Thanjavur-613 005, Tamil Nadu, India.

Indian Journal of Biochemistry & Biophysics
|March 7, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Gynandropsis gynandra extract modulates glucose metabolism enzymes in rats with liver cancer. This suggests potential therapeutic benefits for hepatocellular carcinoma by restoring normal enzyme activity.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Glucose metabolism is crucial for cancer cell energy production and growth.
  • Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) exhibits altered glucose metabolism enzyme activity.
  • Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a known inducer of HCC.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of Gynandropsis gynandra L. extract on glucose-metabolizing enzymes in AFB1-induced HCC in rats.
  • To determine if G. gynandra extract can modulate key enzymes involved in glucose metabolism during liver cancer progression.

Main Methods:

  • Induction of hepatocellular carcinoma in rats using aflatoxin B1.
  • Administration of Gynandropsis gynandra L. extract to HCC-bearing rats.
  • Assay of key glycolytic enzymes (hexokinase, phosphoglucoisomerase) and gluconeogenic enzymes (glucose-6-phosphatase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase) activities.

Main Results:

  • HCC rats showed significantly increased glycolytic enzyme activity and decreased gluconeogenic enzyme activity compared to controls.
  • G. gynandra extract administration significantly decreased glycolytic enzyme activity.
  • G. gynandra extract administration significantly increased gluconeogenic enzyme activity, returning them towards normal levels.

Conclusions:

  • Gynandropsis gynandra extract demonstrates a significant modulatory effect on key glucose metabolism enzymes in HCC.
  • The observed modulation of enzyme activity suggests a potential role for G. gynandra extract in managing liver cancer.
  • Phytoactive constituents within G. gynandra extract are likely responsible for its therapeutic effects on glucose metabolism in HCC.

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