Luteolin, a Bioflavonoid, Attenuates Azoxymethane-Induced Effects on Mitochondrial Enzymes in Balb/c Mice

Colon cancer (CRC) is a serious health problem throughout the world. Development of novel drugs without sideeffects for this cancer is crucial. Luteolin (LUT), a bioflavonoid, has many beneficial effects such as antioxidant,anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative potential. was a potent chemical carcinogen used for the induction ofcolon cancer. Colon carcinogenesis was initiated by intraperitoneal injection of azoxymethane (AOM) to mice atthe dose of 15 mg/body kg weight in Balb/C mice for 3 weeks. Mice were treated with LUT at the dose of 1.2 mg/body kg weight orally. Mitochondrial enzymes such as isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH), α-keto dehydrogenase(α-KDH), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and the activities of respiratory chain enzymes NADH dehydrogenaseand cytochrome c oxidase were found to be elevated in AOM-treated animals. Treatment with LUT decreased theactivities of all the parameters significantly. Hence, LUT might be a potent anticancer agent against colorectalcancer.