Garlic Oil Suppressed Nitrosodiethylamine-Induced Hepatocarcinoma in Rats by Inhibiting PI3K-AKT-NF-κB Pathway

Area of Science:

• Hepatocellular Carcinoma Research
• Natural Product Chemistry
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) poses a significant global health challenge.
• Nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) is a known carcinogen used to induce HCC in experimental models.
• Investigating natural compounds for chemopreventive properties is crucial for developing novel therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the protective mechanisms of garlic oil (GO) against NDEA-induced hepatocarcinoma in a rat model.
• To assess the impact of GO on key biomarkers of liver cancer progression.
• To explore the molecular pathways modulated by GO in hepatocarcinogenesis.

Main Methods:

• Rats were divided into control, NDEA-induced, and GO + NDEA groups.
• GO was administered at 20 or 40 mg/kg before and during NDEA exposure for 20 weeks.
• Serum alpha fetal protein (AFP), histological analysis (H&E, Sirius Red), PCNA expression, and Western blotting for PI3K/AKT/NF-κB pathway proteins were performed.

Main Results:

• GO co-treatment significantly reduced NDEA-induced increases in serum AFP, nuclear atypia, and Sirius Red-positive areas.
• GO suppressed proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression, indicating reduced cell proliferation.
• GO reversed NDEA-induced upregulation of PI3K, AKT phosphorylation, IκB degradation, and NF-κB activation.

Conclusions:

• Garlic oil demonstrates significant protective effects against NDEA-induced hepatocarcinoma in rats.
• GO's chemopreventive action is linked to the suppression of the PI3K-AKT-NF-κB signaling pathway.
• These findings suggest GO as a potential therapeutic agent for preventing or treating liver cancer.