Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides Alkaloidal Extract Improves CCl4-Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma-Like Phenotypes in Rats. (21st July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Acheampong, Desmond Omane; Baffour, Isaac Kyei; Atsu Barku, Victor Yao; Addo, Justice Kwaku; Essuman, Mainprice Akuoko; Boye, Alex
• Other Names: Noureini Sakineh Kazemi Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine. Volume 2021(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-07-21
• Subjects: Alternative medicine -- Periodicals; 615.505
• DOI: 10.1155/2021/3804379
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1741-427X

Abstract

Abstract : Background . Despite the enrollment of new small molecules such as Sorafenib for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), HCC still remains a significant contributor to cancer-related mortality and morbidity globally. Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides is long suspected of possessing anticancer bioactive compounds that may hold the prospect of adjunctive therapy against inflammation-related cancers such as HCC. Objective . This study assessed the effects of an alkaloidal extract of the leaves of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides on CCl4 /olive oil (1 : 1 v/v)-induced HCC-like phenotypes in rats. Materials and Methods . Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides alkaloidal extract (ZZAE) was prepared using Soxhlet and liquid-liquid extraction methods. Subsequently, ZZAE was characterized phytochemically. In the curative method, experimental HCC was established in adult (8–10 weeks old) male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 150–300 g by twice-daily administration of CCl4 /olive oil (1 : 1 v/v) (2 mL/kg ip ). After confirmation of experimental HCC in rats, the rats were randomly reassigned into seven (7) groups of seven (7) rats each and treated daily for 12 weeks as follows: control (normal saline, 5 ml/kg po ), model (CCl4, 5 ml/kg, ip ), ZZAE (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg po ), carvedilol (6.25 mg/kg po ), and 20% Tween20 (1 mL/rat, po ). To assess whether ZZAE has a prophylactic (preventive) effect, rats were first treated with ZZAE and later exposed to CCl4 reconstituted in olive oil. Results . ZZAE (100 and 200 mg/kg) and carvedilol decreased tumor incidence compared to that of control. Compared to control, ZZAE (100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly (P < 0.05 ) improved serum GGT. Compared to control, ZZAE improved hepatohistological distortions induced by CCl4 /olive oil and also improved liver/body weight ratio. Compared to water, ZZAE arrested mitosis in the Allium cepa assay. Conclusion . ZZAE ameliorated CCl4 /olive oil-induced HCC-like phenotype in rats and demonstrated general hepatoprotective effects by improving liver and kidney function markers. This finding rationalizes the need for further studies on ZZAE as a potential source of bioactive anti-HCC compounds.