Anti-tumour Activity of Aqueous Wheat Grass Extracts against Chemically Induced Carcinogenesis

Abstract

Cancer is the leading cause of death globally and in 2015, cancer accounted for 8.8 million deaths worldwide. Liver cancer is the second most common type of cancer after lung cancer, causing many fatalities in both developed and developing countries. In attempting to manage the increasing cases of liver cancer and especially hepatocellular carcinoma, natural products like triticum aestivum (wheat grass) have been tested for their anti-oxidant and therapeutic properties. Treatment and prevention of hepatocellular carcinoma is still a challenge. This study aimed to investigate the effect of wheat grass on the progression of induced liver tumours in rats. Carcinogenesis was induced in experimental and positive group of rats. Development and progression of carcinogenesis was monitored by quantifying levels of alanine Transaminase, total sialic acid and by histological analysis. The results of the study showed that the levels of alanine transaminase and sialic acid consistently decreased throughout the experimental period on rats that were fed on wheat grass extracts compared to positive control. Histological analysis also showed protection of the hepatocytes from carcinogenesis development. Overall, the results from tumor markers and histological analysis, demonstrated that addition of wheat grass to the diet slowed down progression of carcinogenesis.