Effect of silymarin on N-nitrosodiethylamine induced hepatocarcinogenesis in rats

G. Ramakrishnan, T. A. Augustine, S. Jagan, R. Vinodhkumar, T. Devaki

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

97 Scopus citations

Abstract

Aim: To study the effect of silymarin on the levels of tumor markers and MDA (malondialdehyde) - DNA adduct formation during N-nitrosodiethylamine induced hepatocellular carcinoma in male Wistar albino rats. Methods: The levels of AFP, CEA and activities of liver marker enzymes in serum, MDA-DNA immunohistochemistry were done according to standard procedures in the control and experimental groups of rats. Results: Hepatocellular carcinoma was evidenced from significant (p < 0.05) increases of alpha-fetoprotein, carcinoembryonic antigen, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, gamma-glutamyltransferase and 5′-nucleotidase in serum and increased MDA-DNA adducts were also observed in the tissue sections of hepatocellular carcinoma. Silymarin treatment significantly attenuated the alteration of these markers and decreased the levels of MDA-DNA adduct formation. Conclusion: Silymarin could be developed as a promising chemotherapeutic adjuvant for the treatment of liver cancer.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)39-44
Number of pages6
JournalExperimental Oncology
Volume29
Issue number1
StatePublished - Mar 2007
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • AFP
  • Flavonoids
  • Hepatocellular carcinoma
  • MDA-DNA
  • N-nitrosodiethylamine
  • Silymarin

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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