Huichao Feng; Sheng Zheng; Juan Yang; Xiaozhou Mao; Tao Liu; Qiuxin Zhang & Yaqin Chen
This study aimed to explore the potential of Nasturtium officinale L. leaves extract (NOLE) in safeguarding hepatocytes against N-diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by investigating its effects on biochemical, molecular, and antioxidant pathways. The study also delved into NOLE's role in modulating the HOTAIR/miR-124/Notch1 axis pathway. In this study, 50 Wistar rats were divided into five groups (n=10/group): normal, HCC-induced (100 mg/kg DEN), HCC rats treated with 100 and 200 mg/kg DEN + NOLE, and normal rats treated with 200 mg/kg NOLE. At the study's conclusion, serum levels of liver function markers (such as albumin, total protein, bilirubin, C-reactive protein, ALT, AST, and ALP), inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL- 1b, IL-10, and TNF-a), and oxidative parameters [including glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) enzyme activity, and nitric oxide (NO) levels] were assessed. The levels of HOTAIR, miR-124, Notch1, and Jagged1 genes and proteins in liver tissue were measured. Immunohistochemical analysis was used to evaluate P53-positive cells in liver hepatocytes. DEN administration led to significant alterations in body and liver weight, serum liver enzymes, antioxidant levels, inflammatory markers, and expression of genes/proteins related to the HOTAIR/miR-124/Notch1 axis in liver pathways. NOLE exhibited dose-dependent effects in mitigating these changes, notably enhancing weight, liver health, antioxidant capacity, and inflammatory responses, especially at the 200 mg/kg dosage. Histopathological assessments revealed structural improvements in liver tissue with NOLE treatment. In conclusion, our study highlights the potential of NOLE in exerting anti-cancer effects against DEN-induced HCC.
KEY WORDS: Nasturtium officinale L.; N-diethylnitrosamine; HOTAIR; Liver; Hepatocellular carcinoma.
FENG, H.; ZHENG, S.; YANG, J.; MAO, X.; LIU, T.; ZHANG, Q. & CHEN, Y. Exploring the anti-cancer properties of Nasturtium officinale L. via the HOTAIR/miR-124/Notch1 pathway in rat hepatocellular carcinoma: An investigation using biochemical, molecular, immunohistochemical, and histopathological methods. Int. J. Morphol., 42(5):1361-1372, 2024.
