The Use of Natural Fiber-Rich Food Product Is Safe and Reduces Aberrant Crypt Foci in a Pre-Clinical Model

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Science
• Gastroenterology
• Toxicology

Background:

• Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a prevalent malignancy necessitating effective prevention and treatment strategies.
• Developing novel dietary interventions is crucial for managing CRC risk.
• Natural fiber-rich food products (NFRFP) offer a promising avenue for chemoprevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To formulate a natural fiber-rich food product (NFRFP).
• To evaluate the safety, toxicogenetics, and chemopreventive efficacy of NFRFP against 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced aberrant crypt foci in a preclinical model.

Main Methods:

• Seventy-eight male Wistar rats were divided into six groups: control and 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) treated.
• DMH-treated groups received NFRFP via pre-treatment, simultaneous, or post-treatment protocols.
• Safety assessments included biometric, biochemical, hematological, and genotoxicity evaluations.

Main Results:

• NFRFP proved to be a good fiber source, exhibiting no adverse effects on biometric, biochemical, hematological, or inflammatory parameters.
• NFRFP demonstrated significant chemopreventive effects, achieving 75% damage reduction in the comet assay.
• The NFRFP reduced aberrant crypt foci incidence by 49.36% in the post-treatment protocol.

Conclusions:

• The NFRFP is safe and non-toxic, showing no genotoxic or carcinogenic potential.
• NFRFP exhibits significant chemopreventive properties against chemically induced colorectal aberrant crypt foci.
• The study supports the potential industrial-scale application of NFRFP in human diets due to its safety and minimal impact on sensory characteristics.