Role of Lycopersicon esculentum in diethylnitrosamine-induced and phenobarbital-promoted hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the role of Lycopersicon esculentum in diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced and phenobarbital (PB)-promoted hepatocellular carcinoma. Materials and Methods: The hepatocarcinogenesis was induced in male Wistar albino rats by DEN (single injection, 200 mg/kg, i.p.); 2 weeks later, 0.05% w/v of PB was administered through drinking water for 16 weeks. The treatment group rats received a similar dosage as above along with enzymatic extract of L. esculentum (250 mg/kg body weight p.o.) at 3 rd week onward. The carcinogenesis was evaluated by estimating biochemical markers such as alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and bilirubin, DNA and RNA levels, liver protein, and cancer biomarkers as alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). Results: Treatment with enzymatic extract of L. esculentum significantly reduced DEN/PB-mediated elevation of ALT, AST, ALP, and bilirubin levels. A significant decrease in the levels of DNA, RNA, and AFP and increase in liver protein were observed when L. esculentum-treated rats were compared with DEN/PB-treated rats. Conclusion: The present study suggests that L. esculentum possesses chemopreventive activity against DEN-induced and PB-promoted liver cancer.

Keywords

• Diethylnitrosamine
• hepatocellular carcinoma
• Lycopersicon esculentum