Potential effects of asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) shoots and effective microorganisms in colon carcinogenesis induced by azoxymethane in rats

Shelbaya, Lobna; El-Mehiry, Hanaa

doi:10.21608/mkas.2016.170426

Potential effects of asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) shoots and effective microorganisms in colon carcinogenesis induced by azoxymethane in rats

Document Type : Original research articles

Authors

10.21608/mkas.2016.170426

Abstract

Shoots of white asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) are a popular vegetable dish, known to be rich in many bioactive components reported to possess antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory and antitumor activities. The present study aims to investigate the potential effects of asparagus shoots powder (ASP) and effective microorganisms in colon carcinogenesis induced by azoxymethane in rats. Chemical analysis indicated that ASP are rich in antioxidant vitamins (A, C and E), mineral and different classes of bioactive compounds such phenolics, flavonoids, carotenoids, oligosaccharides and inulin which are giving such food high significant as an important functional food. Treatment of animals with azoxymethane caused a significant decreased (p≤0.05) in body weight gain (BWG, -68.70%), feed intake (FI, -16.97%), feed efficiency ratio (FER, -67.21%), hemoglobin (Hb, -36.99%), packed cell volume (PCV, -23.40%) and intestinal mucosal metabolizing enzyme (cytochrome P₄₅₀ reductase, Cyto P₄₅₀rd, -74,56%) while significant increased (p≤0.05) in cytokines [Interleukin-1, IL-1(259.29%) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, TNF-α (242.68%)] levels and cyclooxygenase (Cox-₂, 163.41%) activity which inducible and plays an important role in inflammation and intestinal tumorigenesis was recorded. Supplementation of the rat diets with ASP or ME and their mixture enhanced all of these parameters by different rates. The highest improvement was recorded for the mixture treatment (EM+ASP). Taken together our data highlight the chemopreventive potential of ASP on colon carcinogenesis through its ability to promote normal cellular homeostasis and antioxidant defense systems. Therefore, we recommended ASP to be included in our daily diets, drinks and food products.

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