Antioxidant and Antigenotoxic Actions of Gum Arabic on the Intestinal Mucosa, Liver and Bone Marrow of Swiss Mice Submitted to Colorectal Carcinogenesis

Abstract

Colorectal carcinogenesis is characterized by oxidative stress and the formation of aberrant crypts in its initial stages. Gum arabic (GA) is a natural product with antioxidant properties, and, therefore, supposed antitumor action. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of GA on the formation of aberrant crypts, as well as the local, hepatic, and systemic genotoxicity and oxidative stress. We induced colorectal carcinogenesis in Swiss male mice, afterwards treated them with water, 2.5% GA or 5% GA via gavage for twelve weeks and then performed surgery in order to obtain samples to analysis (proximal and distal colon, liver, blood, and bone marrow). The number of aberrant crypts in the GA-treated animals was lower than in the control groups. Likewise, there was a decline of colonic, hepatic, and systemic genotoxicity and oxidative stress. These results reflect the antioxidant role of GA and may lead to the development of treatments that inhibit colorectal carcinogenesis.

Authors Contributions

André Luís Nunes Avelino: Intellectual and scientific development of the study, technical procedures and manuscript preparation. Nina Victória Ribeiro e Silva: Technical procedures. Gilson Brito de Oliveira: Technical procedures. Antônio Adailson de Sousa Silva: Biological assays. Bruno Coêlho Cavalcanti: Biological assays. Francisco Vagnaldo Fechine Jamacaru: Analysis and interpretation of data, statistics analysis. Conceição Aparecida Dornelas: Conception and design of the study and critical review.

Acknowledgments

Research performed at Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Nucleus of Research and Development of Medicines, and Laboratory of Pharmacology and Preclinical Research, Medical School, Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC), Fortaleza-CE, Brazil. This study is part of Master degree thesis, Postgraduate Program in Medical Surgical Sciences, UFC. Tutor: Profa. Conceição Aparecida Dornelas.

Disclosure Statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available in “Repositório Institucional UFC” at http://www.repositorio.ufc.br/handle/riufc/52945, reference number 52945.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES; Finance Code 001).