Effect of gambogenic acid in attenuating diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma in rat model

Liver cancer, specifically hepatocellular carcinoma has been a widespread problem among general population. This study aims to investigate the modulating mechanism of gambogenic acid, a phenolic xanthonoid, in diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced liver cancer in rats. Male Wistar albino rats were clustered into four groups (n = 6). Group I served as control treated with normal saline. Hepatocellular carcinogenesis was induced in rats by single intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of DEN in saline (200 mg/kg b.w.) for groups II and III. Group III received oral administration of gambogenic acid (20 mg/kg b.w.) one hour post DEN administration, whereas group IV received oral administration of gambogenic acid (20 mg/kg b.w.) alone. Rats were sacrificed after 16 weeks to determine the levels of hepatic biomarkers, oxidative stress markers, hematological profile and histopathological changes. Gambogenic acid significantly ameliorated the expressions of oxidative stress markers TBARS, GSH (P < 0.05), enzymatic antioxidants GPx, CAT, SOD, GST (P < 0.05), apoptosis mediators (P < 0.05), and serum biomarkers for liver damage and tumor formation (P < 0.05) compared with DEN-induced model group. Hepatocellular levels of 8-OHdG were significantly diminished (P < 0.05) by gambogenic acid against the damage incurred by DEN. Liver histopathological derangements caused by DEN were reversed by gambogenic acid. The results clearly impacted the effect of gambogenic acid in attenuating DEN-induced hepatocellular carcinoma in rats mediated through NF-kβ pathway and hepatocellular oxidative damage.