Project Abstract

Abstract
Colon cancer is a significant health concern worldwide, with dietary factors playing a crucial role in its development. Hyphaene thebaica fruit (Linn) has been traditionally used for its nutritional and medicinal properties, including potential anti-cancer effects. This study aimed to evaluate the preventive effect of dietary inclusion of Hyphaene thebaica fruit on N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (NMU)-induced colon carcinogenesis in male Wistar rats. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups Group 1 served as the control and received a standard diet, Group 2 received NMU induction alone, Group 3 received NMU induction along with a diet containing 5% Hyphaene thebaica fruit, and Group 4 received a diet containing 5% Hyphaene thebaica fruit alone. The rats were monitored for changes in body weight, food intake, and water consumption throughout the study. Histopathological examination of colon tissues revealed a significant reduction in the incidence of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in rats that received Hyphaene thebaica fruit along with NMU induction compared to the NMU-induced group alone. Immunohistochemical analysis showed a decrease in the expression of proliferative markers such as Ki-67 in the colon tissues of rats treated with Hyphaene thebaica fruit, indicating a potential anti-proliferative effect. Furthermore, biochemical analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in lipid peroxidation levels and an increase in antioxidant enzyme activities in the colon tissues of rats that received Hyphaene thebaica fruit compared to the NMU-induced group. These findings suggest that dietary inclusion of Hyphaene thebaica fruit may exert a preventive effect against NMU-induced colon carcinogenesis by reducing oxidative stress and modulating cell proliferation. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that dietary supplementation with Hyphaene thebaica fruit may have a protective effect against colon cancer development in male Wistar rats. Further research is warranted to elucidate the specific bioactive components and molecular mechanisms responsible for the observed preventive effects. Incorporating Hyphaene thebaica fruit into the diet may offer a promising approach for colon cancer prevention and warrants exploration in human studies.

Project 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).