Department of Pharmacology and Environmental Toxicology, Dr. A.L. Mudhaliar Post Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Taramani Campus, Chennai, 600113, Tamilnadu, India
*Corresponding Author E-mail: sathish.vmr@gmail.com
**Address for correspondence: Maruthaiveeran Periyasamy Balasubramanian, Department of Pharmacology and Environmental Toxicology, Dr. A.L. Mudhaliar Post Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Taramani Campus, Chennai, 600113, Tamilnadu, India. E. mail: sathish.vmr@gmail.com
Online published on 28 August, 2014.
LPO-derived DNA adducts in the mammalian cells induce point mutations, chromosomal aberrations, and recombination which are expressed by inflammatory mediators, such as cyclooxygenase-2 and lipoxygenases that are found to be increased during colon cancer development. Since the risk of being diagnosed with cancer, it increases with age, most cases occur in adults who are middle aged or older.
About 77% of all cancers are diagnosed in persons 55 years of age and older. Cancer researchers use the word “risk” in different ways, most commonly expressing risk as lifetime risk or relative risk. DMH acts as a potent site and organ specific carcinogen by generating various reactive metabolic intermediates leading to oxidative stress.
Male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups and each group consisting of six animals. Group I and group IV were vector and drug control. The group II and group III animals were treated with DMH 20 mg/kg bodyweight to induce colon carcinoma. Rats received cancer bearing Group III animals were treated with Myrtenal at the concentration of 230 mg/kg bodyweight for 15 weeks. At the end of the experimental period all the rats were sacrificed. DNA adducts where investigated in the experimental animal model with a potent procarcinogen DMH, an alkylating agent that targets DNA and induces the formation of methyl adducts with DNA bases, point mutations, micronuclei, and sister chromatid exchanges yielding macroscopically visible neoplasm in a dose-dependent manner.
The colon and liver tissues levels of the enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidants were significantly decreased in cancer bearing animals when compared to the control animals. Lipid peroxide levels (LPO) were estimated.
From our results, we conclude that Myrtenal is a potent antioxidant and play a protective role against DMH induced colon cancer.
Colon cancer, Myrtenal, 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine, Antioxidants, Phase I Enzyme
