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Morus nigra L. extract prolongs survival of rats with hepatocellular carcinoma
Author(s) -
Hooshmand Sara,
Mahdinezhad Mohammad Reza,
Taraz Jamshidi Shirin,
Soukhtanloo Mohammad,
Mirzavi Farshad,
Iranshahi Mehrdad,
Hasanpour Maedeh,
Ghorbani Ahmad
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
phytotherapy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.019
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1573
pISSN - 0951-418X
DOI - 10.1002/ptr.7056
Subject(s) - hepatocellular carcinoma , bilirubin , albumin , liver cancer , alkaline phosphatase , medicine , hemoglobin , endocrinology , pharmacology , biology , chemistry , biochemistry , enzyme
Morus nigra is a rich source of anthocyanins, phytochemicals that have anticancer effects. This study aimed to investigate the effects of M. nigra extract (MNE) on diethylnitrosamine (DEN)‐induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Male Sprague–Dawley rats were assigned into four groups ( n = 10): control, DEN, and DEN +100 or 400 mg/kg of MNE. After 4 months, the DEN group showed a significant mortality rate, hepatic lipid peroxidation, dysplastic nodules in the cirrhotic liver, and an increase of blood bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Also, the body weight gain, blood albumin and glucose, liver antioxidant capacity (thiol groups), and some hematological parameters (RBC, hematocrit, hemoglobin, and platelet) were significantly decreased in the DEN group. MNE significantly increased survival, reduced the size of HCC nodules, improved liver oxidant/antioxidant status, and prevented the above‐mentioned changes in the blood (except ALP, glucose, and platelet). Quantitative real‐time PCR showed that MNE decreased the expression of Wnt4 and β‐catenin, while had no significant effect on PI3K, Akt, and PTEN expression. The MNE did not exhibit antiproliferative activity against HepG2 liver cancer cells. In conclusion, MNE exhibits a hepatoprotective effect through inhibiting oxidative stress and Wnt4/β‐catenin pathway and therefore prolongs the survival of rats with HCC.