Boswellia serrata and colon cancer: Evidence based approach for treatment

This study aimed to explore the efficacy of Boswellia serrata methylene chloride extract against colon cancer-induced in rats. Forty male rats were classified into 5 groups. Group (1) was control. Groups (2) to (5) were treated intrarectally with N-methylnitrosourea for induction of colon cancer then group (2) was left untreated (cancer group); group (3) was treated intraperitoneally with 5-fluorouracil, while, groups (4 and 5) were treated orally with 1666.6 mg/kg and 3333.3 mg/kg of B. serrata methylene chloride extract respectively. Serum MMP-7, MMP-9 and EGF, plasma TGF-β and TNF-α levels were estimated. Immunohistochemical technique was used for estimation of colon COX-2 and cyclin D1 expression. Colon β-catenin, K-ras and c- myc gene expression was detected by RT-PCR. Also, histological investigation of colon tissue was done. Our results suggest that colon cancer group showed significant elevation in the studied biochemical markers. On the contrary, all treated groups showed significant reduction in these markers. Colon cancer group showed significant rise in COX-2 and cyclin D1 expression in colon tissue. In contrast, all treated groups exhibited marked depletion in COX-2 and cyclin D1 expression. Cancer group displayed significant up-regulation in the expression level of β-catenin K-ras and c-myc genes in colon tissue. While, all treated groups exhibted significant down-regulation in the expression levels of these genes. Histopathological investigation of colon tissue sections in cancer group showed dysplasia and anaplasis in the lining epithelial cells of the glandular structure. While, treatment with 5-fluorouracil or B. serrata extract showed marked improvement in the histological feature of colon tissue. In conclusion, B. serrata methylene chloride extract has a promising therapeutic role against colon cancer induced in rats through its potential antiinflammatory property, antiproliferative capacity and apoptotic activity.

Keywords: Colon cancer, Boswellia serrata, inflammation, proliferation, apoptosis, rats