Grapefruit juice suppresses azoxymethane-induced colon aberrant crypt formation and induces antioxidant capacity in mice

Abstract

In the present report we determined the protective capacity of grapefruit juice (GJ) against molecular and cellular damage in azoxymethane (AOM) treated mice. Animals were daily administered GJ orally (0.8, 4.1, and 8.2 μl/g) for seven weeks, as well as intraperitoneally (ip) injected with AOM twice (weeks 2 and 3 of the assay). Control groups administered with water, with the high dose of GJ, and with AOM injected in weeks 2 and 3 were also included. The results showed a significant, dose-dependent protection of GJ on the number of colon aberrant crypts (AC) induced by AOM. The highest inhibitory effect was reached with the highest tested dose of GJ, decreasing ACF by 51% and 43% at weeks 4 and 7 of the assay. Regarding protein and lipid oxidation we also found a dose-dependent decrease caused with GJ in comparison with the increased levels produced by AOM. Therefore, our results established chemopreventive potential for GJ, and suggested effects related to its antioxidant capacity. Finally, we found that the tested agents induced neither micronuclei increase nor alteration in bone marrow cytotoxicity.