Effect of balanitoside and gemcitabine on serum biochemistry during mouse lung carcinogenesis

Abstract

Gemcitabine is utilized as standard malignancy chemotherapy although its use is limited due to severe side effects. In the present study, we studied the impact of Balanitoside, extracted from Balanites aegyptiaca fruits on mouse serum biochemistry during chemically-inducted (Ure+ BHT) lung carcinogenesis, individually or combined with Gemcitabine chemotherapy. Our results reveal that elevated serum levels of alanine and aspartate transaminases caused by Ure+BHT injection was inhibited in mice treated with ethanolic extract of B. aegyptiaca, indicating its hepatoprotective actions either alone combined with gemcitabine. Also, the doses of B. aegyptiaca extract used here has enhanced the renal function parameters as it improved the changes by Ure+BHT occurred in serum urea, creatinine and uric acid levels. Moreover, the present data showed increased serum cholesterol, triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels and a decrease in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels after carcinogen-treatment when compared with normal group, these were improved by B. aegyptiaca either alone or combined with gemcitabine. In conclusion, the B. aegyptiaca extract has significant modulatory effects and chemo-preventive properties against deranged serum biochemical levels in mouse lung carcinogenesis both alone or combined with gemcitabine. Thus, further investigations are warranted