Effects of Tarantula cubensis alcoholic extract and Nerium oleander distillate on experimentally induced colon cancer

Abstract

The aim of this research was to determine the effects of Tarantula cubensis alcoholic extract (TCAE) and Nerium oleander distillation (NOD) on the colon aberrant cryptal foci (ACF) score, serum cytokines [Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, IL-10], prostaglandin E2, and oxidative status parameters (malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase) in an experimentally induced colon cancer model in rats. Male rats (38 in total) were divided into 4 groups: Control group (n = 8), Colon Cancer group (CC, n = 10), CC+TCAE group (n = 10), and CC i NOD group (n = 10). Except for the Control group, the rest of rats received azoxymethane (15 mg/kg, SC) once a week for two weeks to induce colon cancer. TCAE was administered once a week at 0.2 mL/kg (SC) and NOD was administered in water to CC+TCAE and CC+NOD groups for 18 weeks. After blood samples were collected, the rats were euthanized, colons were removed, washed with saline, then fixed with 10% formaldehyde, and stained with 0.2% methylene blue. ACFs were scored by light microscopy. Serum levels of cytokines, prostaglandin E2, and oxidative status parameters were determined with ELISA. ACF score of the CC group was higher than CC+TCAE and CC+NOD groups. The prostaglandin E2 level of the Control group was lower than the CC i TCAE group, while IL-2 and IL-10 levels of the Control group were lower than all other groups. In conclusion, it can be stated that TCAE and NOD applications may be beneficial in the treatment of colon cancer.