Antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of naringin on diethylnitrosamine induced hepatocellular carcinoma in rats

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most lethal cancer and leading cause of cancer related death in the world. For more than a decade, natural dietary agents including fruits, vegetables and spices have drawn an immense deal of attention in the prevention of cancer. Naringin (4′,5,7-trihydroxy flavonone 7-rhamnoglucoside), a member of the flavanoid group, has been reported to possess chemopreventive potential against hepatocellular carcinoma in experimental rats. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of naringin on antiproliferative and apoptotic effect against diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced experimental liver carcinogenesis in male Wistar rats model. Rats administered with DEN showed increase in the levels of argyrophillic nucleolar organizer region (AgNOR)/nuclei and Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA), which was significantly reduced upon naringin treatment (40 mg/kg body weight). DNA fragmentation and transmission electron microscopy study of liver tissue also supports the chemopreventive potential of naringin. In conclusion, this study provides evidence that naringin exhibits potent anti-carcinogenic effect against DEN-induced hepatocellular carcinoma, which is attributed to its antiproliferative and apoptotic properties.