Feeding Walnuts and Peanuts Reduced Development of Azoxymethane-Induced Precancerous Lesions

Walnuts and peanuts contain phytochemicals that exhibit properties that may prevent colon cancer development. The objective was to determine the potential of walnuts and peanuts on Azoxymethane (AOM) induced Aberrant Crypt Foci (ACF) and the activity of detoxification enzymes: Glutathione S-Transferase (GST), Catalase (CAT), and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) in Fisher 344 male rats. After 1 week acclimatization period, 20 rats were randomly divided into 5 groups. One was fed AIN93G Control (C) diet, 4 groups were fed walnuts (W) and peanuts (P) at 5% and 10%. At 7 - 8 weeks, rats received AOM injections at 16 mg/kg body weight (subcutaneously). Rats were killed by CO2 asphyxiation at 17 weeks. Enzyme activities GST, CAT and SOD were determined. ACF incidence in rats fed W (5% and 10%) was 131 and 95, and in those fed P (5% and 10%) was 110 and 56. Rats fed W and P had a significant (p < 0.05) percent reduction (17.92% - 65.09%) in total ACF compared to C (159). Liver GST activity (μmol/mg) in rats fed W (5% and 10%) was 3.64 and 3.98, and in those fed P (5% and 10%) was 3.84 and 3.30, compared to rats fed C (0.26). CAT activity (μmol/mg) in rats fed W (5% and 10%) was 0.57 and 0.65 and in those fed P (5% and 10%), was 0.76 and 1.26, compared to rats fed C (0.14). SOD activity (U/mg) in rats fed W (5% and 10%) was 529.38 and 576.57 and in those fed P (5% and 10%), was 293.50 and 466.95, compared to rats fed C (82.42). Feeding walnuts and peanuts, especially at 10%, significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the incidence of AOM induced ACF, likely due to the phytochemicals present in nuts.

<i>In Vitro</i>Analysis of the Antioxidant Effect of Allspice

Antioxidants are free radical scavengers found in spices which may play a significant role in preventing cell death. Allspice is a dried unripe berry obtained from the Pimento dioica plant that may have antioxidant potential. The objective of this study was to determine the total phenolic, flavonoid content and antioxidant capacity of allspice using selected assays such as 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Potential (FRAP) and Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC), Nitric Oxide (NO) and Oxygen Reducing Antioxidant Capacity (ORAC). Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of allspice were determined using both water and methanol extraction. A comparison of antioxidant activity of water and methanol extracts of allspice was conducted using the different assays (DPPH, TEAC, NO, ORAC and FRAP). The total phenolic content (6.9%), NO scavenging (38.8%) and ORAC (35.1%) activity were higher in methanol compared to water extracts of allspice while flavonoids (57%), FRAP (11.2%), and TEAC (1.82%) were higher in water extracts compared to methanol extracts of allspice. The total phenolic and flavonoid content were higher in methanol extracts compared to water extracts of allspice. The IC50 (DPPH), FRAP and TEAC, NO scavenging and ORAC activity were higher in methanol extracts compared to water extracts of allspice. Total flavonoid content, FRAP and TEAC, NO scavenging and ORAC were significantly higher (p ≤ 0.5) in methanol extracts compared to water extracts of allspice. This shows that allspice has antioxidant potential and that the method of extraction can play a crucial role on the number of phytochemicals extracted from the plant. Utilization of allspice in food products may provide additional functional properties.

Chemopreventive Effect of Allspice in Azoxymethane (AOM) Induced Fisher 344 Male Rats

Allspice contains phytochemicals which may have antioxidative and chemopreventive potential. The objective was to determine the effects of allspice on the AOM induced aberrant cryptic foci (ACF) in colon of Fisher 344 male rats. Rats were obtained from Harlan, IN, and raised in an environmentally controlled condition of 12 hours of light and dark cycles and at 50% relative humidity. Rats in experimental groups were fed with different concentrations of allspice (0.5%, 1% and 2%) in an AIN-93G based diet. Rats received AOM injections at 7 and 8 weeks of age at 16 mg/kg body weight. After 17 weeks, rats were asphyxiated with CO2, and liver, and colon samples were collected. Colons were stained with methylene blue to enumerate ACF and crypt multiplicity. Rats fed 0.5% allspice had the highest cecal pH (7.64) compared to control (6.88) (P ≤ 0.05). Rats in the treatment groups gained 225 g to 251 g over the 13-week period. A 29% reduction in total crypts was observed in rats fed 2% compared to 0.5% allspice. Highest number of crypts was seen in control group. Antioxidative enzyme activity was higher in rats fed allspice compared to the control group. Total tumors (0.25 - 2.5), tumor bearing rat ratio (1 - 2.5) and incidence rate (50% - 100%) in rats fed different concentrations of allspice were lower compared to rats in the control group (6.6%, 5.8%, and 100% respectively). Consumption of allspice in the diet reduced the number of ACF in Fisher 344 male rats. Allspice can be utilized in food formulations for its chemopreventive effects against colon cancer.

Chemopreventive Potential of Select Herbal Teas and Spices on Azoxymethane-Induced Aberrant Crypt Foci in Fisher 344 Male Rats

Colon cancer is the third leading cause of death in the US. Selected herbal teas and spices may reduce incidence of chronic diseases, including cancer. The objective of this study was to identify the effect of strawberry leaf, raspberry leaf, hibiscus teas and cinnamon on azoxymethane (AOM)-induced aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in Fisher 344 male rats. After acclimatization period (1 wk), 49 male weanling rats were divided into 16 groups. Control (CON) group fed AIN-93G diet;15 treatment groups were administered control diet + strawberry leaf tea (STW), raspberry leaf tea (RAS), hibiscus tea (HIB), cinnamon (CIN), strawberry leaf tea + cinnamon (STW + CIN), raspberry leaf tea + cinnamon, (RAS + CIN), hibiscus tea + cinnamon (HIB + CIN), and strawberry leaf tea + raspberry leaf tea + hibiscus tea + cinnamon in combination (COM) at 2 levels each (teas added at 1% and 2%;CIN added at 2.5% and 5%). Rats received 24 mg/kg body weight AOM in saline s/c at 7 and 8 weeks of age. Animals received experimental diets until sacrificed by CO2 asphyxiation (17 weeks of age). ACF were enumerated in colons. Hepatic antioxidant enzymes were determined;superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and glutathione (GH). Treatment groups had reduction in ACF compared to CON (154). Lowest ACF observed in HIB 2% + CIN 5% (13.16) with 91.45% reduction compared to CON. ACF observed in treatment groups administered teas and cinnamon combinations were lower than those administered teas singly. SOD and CAT activities in rats administered treatment diets were higher than CON (13.63 U/mL, 0.95 umol·min-l·ml-1). Rats administered COM (20.65 U/mL) had highest SOD activity. CAT activity was 51.27% higher in rats administered HIB 2% (1.96 umol·min-l·ml-1). GPX activity ranged from 7.26 (STW 1% + CIN 2.5%) to 9.59 (STW 2%) umol·min-l·ml-1. Results suggest that herbal teas and spices may reduce the risk of colon cancer and improve antioxidant status;regular consumption may provide beneficial health effects.

Chemopreventive and Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Select Herbal Teas and Cinnamon in an <i>In-Vitro</i>Cell Model

Colon cancer is the third leading cause of death in the US. Herbal teas and spices may reduce the incidence of chronic diseases, including colon cancer. The objectives of this study were to determine the chemopreventive effects of herbal teas and cinnamon in an in-vitro cell model and to evaluate the inhibitory effects of selected extracts on enzymes associated with inflammatory disease. Effects of raspberry leaf (0.5 - 2.0 mg/mL), strawberry leaf (0.4 - 1.0 mg/mL), hibiscus flower (4.0 - 10.0 mg/mL) and cinnamon (400 - 1500 μg/mL) were evaluated for cytotoxicity, induction of caspase and DNA fragmentation in colon cancer (Caco-2) cells to determine possible chemopreventive effects. Effects of extracts on inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were also measured to determine possible anti-inflammatory potential. Caco-2 cells were obtained from American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) and maintained in Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle’s Medium with 10% fetal bovine serum. As concentrations of tea increased, LDH release from Caco-2 cells increased, with cytotoxicity ranging from 1% - 80% (hibiscus flower 1.0 mg/mL and strawberry leaf (1.0 mg/mL) for teas. All extract concentrations of herbal teas and cinnamon were able to enhance caspase-3 activity with lowest activity (4.4 mmol/ min/mL) observed in the lowest concentration of cinnamon (400 μg/mL) and highest activity (6.0 mmol/min/mL) seen in the highest concentration of raspberry leaf (2 mg/mL). Tea and spice extracts were able to induce apoptosis in Caco-2 cells exhibited by increased DNA fragmentation (expressed as enrichment factor). Enrichment factor ranged from 1.0 - 1.5 (raspberry leaf 1.0 mg/mL and hibiscus 10.0 mg/mL). Teas and cinnamon exhibited anti-inflammatory potential by inhibiting COX-2 by 0.6% - 8.0% (raspberry leaf 1.0 mg/mL and strawberry leaf 0.8 mg/mL). The results suggest that herbal teas and cinnamon may have significant benefits in chemoprevention.

Feeding Soy with Probiotic Attenuates Obesity-Related Metabolic Syndrome Traits in Obese Zucker Rats

Obesity has reached pandemic levels, being a major concern of health. Overweight and obesity are the precursors for metabolic disturbances in the body. Probiotics and prebiotics administrations have shown to reduce the characteristics of obesity-induced metabolic syndrome in animals. The present study examined the effects of dietary supplementation of soybean meal and Bifidobacterium longum (BB536) singly and in combination on obesity-related traits in obese Zucker rats. Control group rats were fed with AIN93-M diet and treatment groups were fed with soybean meal (5 % or 10%) and Bifidobacterium longum (0.1%) in single and combinations for 100 days. Weight gain, feed intake, and % of fat in liver were recorded. Serum biochemical parameters such as cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin and glucose were analyzed. Activities of liver enzymatic markers (alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma glutamyl-transferase (GGT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)) were determined. Dietary supplementation of soymeal at 10% with B. longum reduced the weight gain by 30% and liver fat content by 35%. Feeding Bifidobacterium longum alone did not have any effect in analyzing serum biochemical parameters and activity of liver enzymatic markers. Serum glucose and insulin levels in rats were lowered by 18% - 24% and 22% - 25% respectively when fed with administration of combinational feeding of soymeal at 5% and 10% with Bifidobacterium longum. Hepatic enzyme activity was reduced by 1.3 fold with the combinational diet at higher concentration (soy 10%). The present study provides evidence that supplementation with soymeal with probiotic, B. longum attenuates the metabolic disorders induced by obesity in obese Zucker rats.

Inhibition of Chemically-Induced Colon Cancer by Dietary Treatment of <i>Hibiscus sabdariffa</i>L. Dried Calyx in Rats

This study examined the chemopreventive effect of feeding sorrel calyx as meal and juice against azoxymethane (AOM) induced colon cancer in Fisher 344 male rats. Rats were randomly assigned to five different groups and administered either sorrel meal (5% & 10%) or juice (2.5% & 5%) and control diet. Tumors were induced in rats with two subcutaneous injections (16 mg/kg body weight) of AOM at 6 & 7 weeks of age. Rats were killed at 45 weeks of age and samples (colon, liver) were collected. Tumor incidence, size and numbers were analyzed macroscopically. Activity of drug metabolizing (Cytochrome P2E1 (CYP2E1) & Glutathione S-Transferase (GST)) and antioxidative enzymes (Catalase and Superoxide dismutase) were determined in liver. Dietary feeding of sorrel calyx decreased (P < 0.05) tumor incidence and multiplicity in rats. Tumor size was reduced (P < 0.05) by 78% in rats fed with sorrel calyx meal at 10% compared to control. Rats administered with AOM alone increased liver CYP2E1 activity. Supplementation of sorrel increased (P < 0.05) activities of antioxidative enzymes. Highest reduction in GST activity was observed in rats that were treated with sorrel juice at 5%. Results of this study indicated the chemopreventive potential of sorrel meal and calyx agent chemically induced colon cancer in rats. This study also provided scientific evidence for using sorrel as a functional food in chemoprevention.