Hajer Ibrahim Salim Al-Ajmi1, Hassan Talib Al-Lawati2, Mohammad Shafiur Rahman1,Nejib Guizani1, Mostafa I. Waly1*
1Food Science and Nutrition Department, College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman. 2Honey Bee Research Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Muscat, Oman
*Corresponding Author Email Address: [email protected]
ABSTRACT
Background: Azoxymethane (AOM) is considered as an oxidizing insult and a potent carcinogenic agent that is commonly used to induce colon cancer in rats. Clinical studies continue to support the notion that different honey bee products (honey, pollen and propolis) combat cancer development, yet no recent studies conducted to examine the antioxidant potential properties of these honey products against oxidative stress in an experimental model for colon cancer. Objective: This study was undertaken to investigate the preventive effect of different honey bee product supplementations against AOM-induced oxidative stress and carcinogenesis in rat colon. Methods: Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 10 groups. The negative control group was fed a basal diet; AOM-treated group was fed a basal diet and received two doses of AOM intraperitoneal injections for two weeks at a dose of 15 mg/kg body weight, whereas the other eight groups have received different oral supplementation of honey bee products in the presence or absence of AOM injection. All animals were continuously fed ad-libitum until 16 weeks, then all rats were sacrificed and the colon tissues were examined for biochemical measurements of oxidative stress markers. Results: Our results showed that AOMinduced pathological changes and oxidative stress (glutathione depletion, total antioxidant impairment and antioxidant enzymes inhibition) in the examined colonic tissues. The concomitant treatment of AOM with honey bee products has significantly ameliorated the colon carcinogenic effects of AOM. Conclusion: The results of this study provide in-vivo evidence that honey bee products supplementation protects against AOM-induced colon cancer in a mechanism that is mediated by combating oxidative stress.
Keywords: Azoxymethane, Colon Cancer, Honey Bee Products, Oxidative Stress
Citation: Hajer Ibrahim Salim Al-Ajmi, Hassan Talib Al-Lawati, Mohammad Shafiur Rahman, Nejib Guizani, Mostafa I. Waly. Protective Effects of Honey Bee Products against Oxidative Stress-Associated Carcinogenesis in a Rat Model of Colon Cancer. Canadian Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2019; 7 (2): 62-78.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14206/canad.j.clin.nutr.2019.02.05