Thesis Abstract

Abstract
The study aimed to evaluate the preventive effect of dietary inclusion of Hyphaene thebaica fruit (Linn) on N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced colon carcinogenesis in male Wistar rats. Colon cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, and there is a growing interest in exploring natural compounds for their potential anti-cancer properties. Hyphaene thebaica, commonly known as doum palm, is a fruit widely consumed in Africa and the Middle East known for its nutritional and medicinal properties. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups Group I served as the control, Group II received MNU alone, Group III received MNU and 5% Hyphaene thebaica fruit in the diet, and Group IV received 5% Hyphaene thebaica fruit in the diet alone. The rats were monitored for changes in body weight, food consumption, and tumor development throughout the study period. At the end of the experiment, colon tissues were analyzed for histopathological changes, oxidative stress markers, and expression of apoptotic markers. The results indicated that dietary inclusion of Hyphaene thebaica fruit significantly reduced the incidence of colon tumors in MNU-induced rats compared to the MNU alone group. The rats fed with Hyphaene thebaica fruit showed a lower tumor burden and smaller tumor size compared to the MNU group. Histopathological analysis revealed a decrease in dysplastic changes and aberrant crypt foci in the colon tissues of rats supplemented with Hyphaene thebaica fruit. Furthermore, rats receiving Hyphaene thebaica fruit exhibited lower levels of oxidative stress markers such as malondialdehyde (MDA) and higher levels of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase. The expression of apoptotic markers, including caspase-3 and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, was also upregulated in the Hyphaene thebaica fruit supplemented group, indicating an induction of apoptosis in colon cancer cells. In conclusion, dietary inclusion of Hyphaene thebaica fruit showed a preventive effect against MNU-induced colon carcinogenesis in male Wistar rats. The mechanisms underlying this effect may involve anti-oxidative and pro-apoptotic properties of the fruit. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the specific bioactive compounds responsible for the anti-cancer effects of Hyphaene thebaica fruit.

Thesis Overview

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. An estimated 14.1million new cancer cases occurred in 2012 (GLOBOCAN, 2012). Lung, female breast, colorectal and stomach cancers accounted for more than 40% of all cases diagnosed worldwide (GLOBOCAN, 2012). In men, lung cancer was the most common cancer (16.7% of all new cases in men). Breast cancer was by far the most common cancer diagnosed in women (25.2% of all new cases in women), (Srijita-Dutta, 2015). Approximately, 32.5 million People diagnosed with cancer in 2008 were alive at the end of 2012. Most were women after their breast cancer diagnosis (6.3 million), men after their prostate cancer diagnosis (3.9 million), and men and women after their colorectal cancer diagnosis (3.5 million) (Popoola et al., 2013).

The incidence of colorectal carcinoma has been on the increase in the developing countries, including Nigeria, as a result of change in diet and adoption of western lifestyle (Echendu al., 2015). A total of 241 cases of colorectal carcinoma were reported, 144 cases (60%) in males and 96 cases (40%) in females with a male: female ratio of 1.5:1. The peak age of occurrence for males was between 51 and 60 years, while that of the females was between 41 and 50 years. The malignancy was found in the rectum in 60.2% of the cases, while the least affected site is the descending colon (1.2%) (NJCP, 2011).