Potential Prophylactic Effect of Berberine against Rat Colon Carcinoma Induce by 1,2-Dimethyl Hydrazine

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

1 Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Egypt.

2 Biochemistry Department, National Center for Radiation Research and Technology Atomic Energy Authority, Egypt.

3 Biological sciences Department, Faculty of Science, Beirut Arab University, Lebanon.

4 Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University Alexandria, Egypt.

5 Pharmaceutical and Fermentation Industries Development Centre, City for Scientific Research and Technology Applications, Alexandria, Egypt.

Abstract

Introduction: Colon Cancer remains one of the major worldwide causes of cancer related morbidity and mortality
in both genders. Berberine (BBR), a major component of alkaloids that possess a variety of pharmacological properties.
Objective: This study shows the ameliorating roles of berberine on 1,2 Di methyl hydrazine (DMH) induced colon
cancer in male Swiss albino rats. Methods: The rats were segregated into four groups: group 1, control rats; group
2, rats were orally received berberine (75 mg/kg b.wt./day) daily for ten weeks; group 3,rats were subcutaneously
injected with DMH (20 mg/kg b.wt) once a week for 8 weeks ,group 4, rats were treated firstly with berberine for
two weeks before DMH intoxication and concurrently with DMH over 8 weeks. Result: DMH injection decreased
the antioxidants levels (GSH and SOD) and increased inflammatory markers (MPO, MAPK and COX-2). Moreover,
it downregulated apoptotic markers (Caspase-3 and P53) expression that confirmed by colon cell proliferation. The
prophylactic effect of berberine was noticed as its pre-and co-administration increased antioxidants status and apoptotic
markers expression that associated with inflammatory markers down-regulation with absence of proliferated colon
cells. Conclusion: Therefore, the overall findings proved that the anti-proliferative effect of berberine return to its
antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that activated the programmed cell death process.

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