In vivo attenuation of angiogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma by Nigella sativa

Abstract

Background/aim: Angiogenesis is imperative in malignant tumor growth. Hepatocellular carcinoma is a typical hypervasculartumor that relies on angiogenesis. The aim of this study is to investigate the in vivo molecular mechanism underlying the antitumorproperties of Nigella sativa ethanolic extract (NSEE) through its antiangiogenic effect against diethyl nitrosamine (DENA)-inducedhepatocarcinogenesis.Materials and methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: normal, NSEE, DENA, and NSEE-DENA groups. Final bodyweight, hepatosomatic indices, serum AFP, serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels, and liver tissue hepatocyte growthfactor β (HGFβ) protein expression were estimated. Liver sections were stained for histological examination. AFP levels with thehistological variations were chosen to confirm cancer development.Results: DENA significantly increased liver weight, hepatosomatic indices, serum AFP and VEGF levels, and liver HGFβ proteinexpression and significantly decreased final body weight. These effects were significantly reversed by NSEE. Furthermore, thehistopathological changes that appeared in rat livers due to DENA were reduced by NSEE without harmful effects when taken alone.Conclusion:The results of the present investigation provide evidence that the in vivo antiangiogenic effect of NSEE through downregulationof serum VEGF and liver HGFβ protein could be implicated in its antitumor activity. Its consumption has health benefits that favor livercancer management. These findings might prove useful and helpful for the progression of therapies for hepatocarcinogenesis treatment.