Abstract

Boswellic acids (BA) have been found to possess potent anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activity. We aimed to explore the possible effect of BA as an adjuvant therapy with Cisplatin on chemically-induced colon cancer in mice. Colon cancer was induced in seventy healthy male albino mice using 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH, 20 mg/kg/week, s.c.) for fifteen weeks. Treatment with BA, Cisplatin or both for another 3 weeks was applied. The mice were divided into seven groups: (i) Saline, (ii) DMH, (iii) Cisplatin, (iv-v): BA standardized extract (250 or 500 mg/kg) and (vi-vii): Cisplatin+BA (250 or 500 mg/kg), respectively. Serum interleukin-6, vascular endothelial growth factor and Cyclooxygenase 2 levels have been measured by ELISA assays. Immunohistochemical staining for CD31, in addition, was done. On examination of the colon tissue at the end of the therapeutic period, there was a significant decrease in the CD31 immunostaining score as a marker of tumor proliferation index and a significant decrease in measured serum markers in combination therapy treated group than Cisplatin monotherapy treated group. These results suggested that BA could augment the antitumor effects of Cisplatin. Hence, BA could be used as an adjuvant therapy in the clinical management of CRC after its validation in humans.

Keywords: Boswellic acids; CD31; Cisplatin; Colon cancer; COX-2; IL-6; VEGF