Immunohistochemical study of p53, Ki-67, Bax and Bcl-2 in diethylnitrosamine induced hepatocarcinogenesis in rats treated with Cassia fistula leaf extract

The present work was undertaken to explore the hepatoprotective activity of Ethanolic Leaf Extract (ELE) of Cassia fistula in diethylnitrosamine (DEN) induced liver damage in Wistarrats. Ninety six male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into four groups of 24 rats each. DEN (0.01%) was given in drinking water ad libitum and C. fistula (500mg/kg BW) was administered orally either alone or in combination for 120 days. Three rats from each group were sacrificed fortnightly and the liver samples were subjected to immunohistochemistry for expression of tumour growth markers p53, Ki-67, Bax and Bcl-2. Results showed that with progression of tumour, mild to moderate cytoplasmic staining of hepatocytes was noticed for p53. For ki-67, cytoplasmic reactivity was weak to intense in all cases. Baxoncoprotein was found to be expressed in the cytoplasm and plasma membrane of hepatocytes, biliary epithelial cells and lymphocytes. Bcl-2 expression was noticed in proliferating bile ducts and oval cells. Up to 90 percent of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) cells were positively immunostained for Bcl-2 protein. It was concluded that leaf extract of C. fistulawas mildly protective against the carcinogenic effectof DEN in rats.