Ellagic Acid Holds Promise Against Hepatocellular Carcinoma in an Experimental Model: Mechanisms of Action

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

1 Zoology Department, Faculty of Women for Arts, Science and Education, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

2 Zoology and Entomology Department, Faculty of Science, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt.

3 Hormones Department, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt.

4 Chemistry of Tannins Department, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt.

Abstract

This research work was initiated to explore the efficacy of ellagic acid in mitigation of hepatocarcinogenesis in
rats. Rats were distributed into 4 groups; negative control, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), doxorubicin and ellagic
acid. Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), glypican-3 (GPC-3), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)
and suppressors of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) levels were assayed by ELISA. Immunohistochemical examination
of hepatic VEGF expression was also conducted, along with histological procedures for examination of liver tissue
sections. Significant elevation in serum AFP, GPC-3 and STAT3 levels with a significant drop in SOCS3 were observed
in the HCC group. In contrast, the treated groups showed significant decline in serum AFP, GPC-3 and STAT3 levels
and significant increase in SOCS3. Additionally, the HCC group declared mild positive immunoreaction for VEGF in
hepatocytes while treatment with doxorubicin or ellagic acid was associated with a negative immunoreaction for VEGF.
These results were supported by histological examination of liver tissue. The obtained findings suggested that ellagic
acid may have beneficial chemopreventive role against hepatocarcinogenesis through its apoptotic, antiangiogenic and
antiproliferative activities.

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Main Subjects

Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
Volume 19, Issue 2
February 2018
Pages 387-393

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History

  • Receive Date: 20 May 2017
  • Revise Date: 30 July 2017
  • Accept Date: 11 January 2018

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