Scientific validation and mechanistic evaluation of chuntaivatral chooranam in DMH-induced gastrointestinal cancer: An in vivo study

Antitumor efficacy of Chuntaivatral chooranam on lipid peroxidation in control and Experimental animals

Abstract

Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide, ranking third among males and second among females in industrialized countries. Its incidence is also rapidly increasing in developing nations, including India, largely due to changing dietary habits and lifestyle factors. 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine (DMH), a potent alkylating agent, is widely used to induce experimental colon carcinogensis. Chuntaivatral chooranam (CVC), a traditional Siddha polyherbal formulation, is commonly prescribed for gastrointestinal disorders such as piles, indigestion, and irritable bowel syndrome. However, its potential anticancer properties remain largely unexplored. The present study aimed to evaluate the chemopreventive efficacy of Chuntaivatral chooranam against DMH-induced colon cancer in Wistar rats.A total of 42 male Wistar rats were divided into nine groups, each consisting of six animals. Colon carcinogenesis was induced using DMH, and treatment groups received Chuntaivatral chooranam at different doses, either alone or in combination with 5-Fluorouracil. At the end of the experimental period, animals were sacrificed, and blood and tissue samples were collected for biochemical and molecular analyses. The results demonstrated that DMH administration significantly increased oxidative stress markers, tumor markers, and Phase I enzyme activities while decreasing antioxidant enzyme levels and membrane-bound ATPase activities. Treatment with Chuntaivatral chooranam, particularly in combination with 5-Fluorouracil, significantly reversed these alterations (p<0.001), reduced tumor incidence, and improved biochemical parameters. In conclusion, Chuntaivatral chooranam exhibited significant chemoprotective and antitumor activity against DMH-induced colon cancer, suggesting its potential as a complementary therapeutic agent in the management of colorectal cancer.