Hydrogen-rich water exerts anti-tumor effects comparable to 5-fluorouracil in a colorectal cancer xenograft model

BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer(CRC)is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the world.Tumor removal remains the preferred frontline treatment;however,effective non-surgical interventions remain a high priority.5-fluorouracil(5-FU)is a widely used chemotherapy agent,and molecular hydrogen(H2)has been recognized for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects,with research also suggesting its potential anti-tumor effects.Therefore,H2 dissolved in water[hydrogen-rich water(HRW)],with or without 5-FU,may present itself as a novel therapeutic for CRC.AIM To investigate the effects of HRW,with or without 5-FU,as a novel therapeutic for CRC.METHODS CRC was induced in the left flank of inbred Balb/c mice.A total of 24 mice bearing tumors were randomly divided into four groups(n=6 per group)and treated as follows:(1)Control group;(2)5-FU group that received intraperitoneal injection of 5-FU(5 mg/kg)every other day;(3)H2 group that received HRW,created and delivered via dissolving the H2-generating tablet in the animals’drinking water,with 200μL also delivered by oral gavage;and(4)The combination group,H2(administered in same way as for group three)combined with 5-FU administered same way as group two.RESULTS Administration of HRW+5-FU significantly improved tumor weight,tumor size,collagen content and fibrosis as compared to the CRC control group.Specifically,HRW attenuated oxidative stress(OS)and potentiated antioxidant activity(AA),whereas 5-FU treatment exacerbated OS and blunted AA.The combination of HRW+5-FU significantly reduced tumor weight and size,as well as reduced collagen deposition and the degree of fibrosis,while further increasing OS and decreasing AA compared to administration of 5-FU alone.CONCLUSION Administration of HRW,with or without 5-FU,may serve as a therapeutic for treating CRC.

An Updated Overview of the Treatment of Colorectal and Gastric Cancer Using Saffron

Despite the increasing number of drugs and treatments available for cancer patients,the effect of cancer on the quality of life of patients and their life expectancy is significant.Moreover,many new therapeutic options have shown to have adverse effects without improving outcomes.These days,natural plants and chemopreventive drugs are commonly used.Chemoprevention is a new form of therapy that targets specific premalignant-malignant transformations.Plant-derived substances,such as polyphenols,flavonoids,carotenoids,alkaloids,etc.,have a range of biological effects.Despite extensive studies on the anti-inflammatory effect of saffron carotenoids,they are also bioactive in some other ways,including the inhibition of tumor growth and the induction of cell death.In addition to interfering with a wide array of signaling molecules,this substance has pleiotropic effects:it inhibits pro-inflammatory molecules,transcription factors,enzymes,protein kinases,protein transport proteins,proteins that are crucial for cell survival,growth factors,proteins that regulate the cell cycle,and chemokines.Saffron has high oral bioavailability and is,therefore,suitable for treating gastrointestinal diseases.This antioxidant and anti-proliferative property of saffron makes it a promising chemopreventive agent for colorectal cancer.In contrast with in vitro studies devoted to saffron and in vivo studies on animal models,saffron has rarely been assessed in clinical studies dealing with gastrointestinal oncology.However,several clinical trials are in progress in this domain,although saffron has no approved medical indication as of yet.