Effect of Plumbagin on some glucose metabolising enzymes studied in rats in experimental hepatoma

Plumbagin (5-hydroxy-2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone) isolated from Plumbago zeylanica Linn, when administered orally, at a dosage of 4 mg/kg body weight induces tumour regression in 3-methyl-4-dimethyl aminoazobenzene (3MeDAB) induced hepatoma in Wistar male rats. The purpose of this investigation was to identify the changes in the rate of glycolysis and gluconeogenesis in tumour-bearing rats and the effects of treatment with Plumbagin. The levels of certain glycolytic enzymes, namely, hexokinase; phosphoglucoisomerase; and aldolase levels increased (p < 0.001) in hepatoma bearing rats, whereas they decreased in Plumbagin administered rats to near normal levels. Certain gluconeogenic enzymes, namely, glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose-1,6-diphosphatase decreased (p < 0.001) in tumour hosts, whereas Plumbagin administration increased the gluconeogenic enzyme levels in the treated animals. These investigations indicate the molecular basis of the different biological behaviour of 3MeDAB induced hepatoma and the anticarcinogenic property of Plumbagin against hepatoma studied in rats.