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Protective Effect of Nerium oleander Distillate and Tarantula cubensis Alcoholic Extract on Cancer Biomarkers in
Burak Dik1, Devran Coskun2, Ayşe Er1
1Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Veterinary Faculty, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey.
Background:
Colon cancers are among the top three causes of cancer-related deaths. This study is a continuation of previous research aiming to identify effective treatments.
Objective:
This study investigated the effects of Tarantula cubensis alcoholic extract (TCAE) and Nerium oleander (NO) distillate on the levels of midkine, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, insulin-like growth factor (IGF) and caspase-3 in the liver and colon tissues of rats with experimentally induced colon cancer.
Methods:
The liver and colon tissues of rats were homogeneously divided into control, colon cancer (azoxymethane, AZM), AZM + TCAE, and AZM + NO distillate groups. The levels of midkine, TGF-β, VEGF, AFP, COX-2, IGF, and caspase-3 in the colon and liver tissues were measured by ELISA.
Results:
The levels of all parameters in colon and liver tissues in the AZM group were higher (p<0.05) than those in the control group. TCAE and NO distillate prevented (p < 0.05) increases in midkine, TGF-β, VEGF, AFP, COX-2, IGF, and caspase-3 levels in the colon. NO distillate prevented the increase in all parameters except IGF, whereas TCAE prevented the increase in all values apart from COX-2 and IGF levels in the liver (p<0.05).
Conclusion:
NO distillate and TCAE may prevent the studied markers from reaching specified levels observed in the colon in AZM-induced colon cancer. The increases in the levels of the parameters in the liver were not as severe as those in the colon; however, an 18-week study period may not be sufficient for liver metastasis formation. Future molecular studies should investigate the mechanisms and pathways of these treatments in greater detail.
Insights
Tarantula cubensis alcoholic extract (TCAE) and Nerium oleander (NO) distillate show potential in preventing colon cancer markers. These natural extracts may inhibit key proteins associated with cancer development in rat models.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Colon cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality.
- This research builds upon prior investigations into effective cancer treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of Tarantula cubensis alcoholic extract (TCAE) and Nerium oleander (NO) distillate on specific molecular markers in induced colon cancer in rats.
- Investigate the effects on midkine, TGF-β, VEGF, AFP, COX-2, IGF, and caspase-3 levels in liver and colon tissues.
Main Methods:
- Rats were divided into control, azoxymethane (AZM)-induced colon cancer, AZM + TCAE, and AZM + NO distillate groups.
- ELISA was employed to quantify the levels of specified biomarkers in colon and liver tissues.
Main Results:
- AZM-induced cancer significantly elevated all measured parameters compared to controls (p<0.05).
- Both TCAE and NO distillate significantly inhibited increases in most tested markers in the colon (p<0.05).
- NO distillate was effective against all markers except IGF, while TCAE showed efficacy against all except COX-2 and IGF in the liver.
Conclusions:
- NO distillate and TCAE demonstrate potential in mitigating colon cancer marker levels induced by AZM.
- While liver marker increases were less severe, the study duration may have been insufficient to observe liver metastasis.
- Further molecular research is recommended to elucidate the mechanisms of these natural treatments.
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