Anticancer Effect of Black Raspberry and Apricot Juice against Colon Cancer Induced by Azoxymethane in Male Rats

This study was carried out to evaluate the anticancer effect of black raspberry juice (RJ) and apricot juice (AJ) against colon cancer induced by Azoxymethane (AOM) in rats and to examine the possible mechanisms. Forty two Sprague Dawley male rats were used and randomly distributed into 6 equal groups (n=7). The 1 group was negative control and each rat from the other 5 groups was given a single subcutaneous dose (15 mg/kg b.wt.) of AOM once weekly for 2 weeks to induce colon cancer. The 2 group was kept positive control and rats in the 3, 4, 5 and 6 groups were orally given RJ and AJ at low (5%) and high (10%) concentrations, respectively, daily for 12 weeks. Serum colon cancer biomarkers [(tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α); nuclear factor-κappaB (NF-κB); interleukin1β (IL-1β) and interleukin and 6 (IL6)] were measured and histopathology of the colon was done to evaluate the anticancer effect. Lipid peroxidation and activities of antioxidant enzymes in colon tissues and content of 8hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) (apoptosis marker) in colon DNA were measured to examine the possible mechanisms. The results showed that oral administration of RJ and AJ inhibited AOM-induced elevations in serum colon cancer biomarkers levels, antagonized preneoplastic abbrent colon crypts induced by AOM, decreased lipid peroxidation; increased activities of antioxidant enzymes in colon tissues and reduced elevation of 8-OHdG content in colon DNA. These results denoted that RJ and AJ have an anticancer effect against colon cancer. The mechanistic studies demonstrated that RJ and AJ inhibited lipid peroxidation, increased antioxidant enzyme activities (antagonized oxidative stress) and induced of apoptosis. It can be concluded that intake of black raspberry and apricot as fruit salad or juice may be beneficial for patients who suffer from colon cancer.