Anticancer Activity of Fermented Solenostemm Aargel Extract and/or Low Dose Gamma Radiation Against Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Abstract

For many decades the terrestrial plants are represent an infinitive source of bioactive substances as well as pharmaceutical components which play a main role in the discovering ,developing and manufacturing of anticancer and antibiotic drugs. Solenostemmaargel is a desert plant widely used in Arabic countries as antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatic agent. It also has anti-tumor activity. Aim: the present study was oriented to investigatethe hepato-protective effect of fermentedSolenostemmaargelleave extract (100amg/kg b.wt) and/or low dose gamma-radiation (0.5Gy) againsthepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)developedin rats by injection of diethylnitrosamine. Results: the data obtained revealed that thepro-apoptotic agents (caspase 3 and cytochrome c) undergoes significant elevation in HCC rats received plant extract and/or gamma-radiation compared to HCC rats.While,the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hypoxia inducible factor-alpha (HIF-alpha)and monocytichemotactic protein-1(MCP-1) were significantly decreased. Also, the activity of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) was significantly decreased. Moreover, the histopathological analysis revealed that a mild improvement. In conclusion, the improvement emerged in HCC rats could be attributed to the potency of extract and/or gamma- radiation by induce apoptosis and reduce angiogenesis.