Ameliorative effects of Turbinaria ornata extract on hepatocellular carcinoma induced by diethylnitrosamine in-vivo

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths and the fifth most common cancer worldwide. Brown algae appeared to be a rich source of efficient and safe agents against many life-threatening diseases like cancer. Thus, the scope of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of Turbinaria ornata against experimentally induced HCC in a rat model. Accordingly, forty male albino rats were divided into four groups. HCC was induced by intraperitoneal injection with diethylnitrosamine (DENA) followed by carbon tetrachloride (CCL₄). After four weeks of DENA + CCL₄ injection and two weeks of treatment with Turbinaria ornata, rats were sacrificed to collect hepatic tissue and blood samples for histopathological observations and various biochemical markers such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), urea, creatinine, albumin (ALB), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Rats that were injected for four weeks with DENA + CCL₄ showed a significant increase in AFP levels, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), as well as a high percentage of malignant changes in hepatic tissues. The extension of malignant changes in the rat liver tissues was markedly reduced using Turbinaria ornata, as the treatment displayed liver patterns similar to that of the normal control rats. Furthermore, rats with HCC fed with Turbinaria ornata extract for two weeks showed decreasing levels of TGF-β and TNF-α. These findings demonstrate that Turbinaria ornata supplement can prevent HCC development in hepatic rats; however, the exact mechanism requires further investigation.