English abstract
Azoxymethane (AOM) is considered as an oxidizing insult and a potent carcinogenic agent that is commonly used to induce colon cancer in rats. Clinical studies continue to support the notion that different honey bee products (honey, pollen and propolis) combat cancer development, yet no recent studies conducted to examine the antioxidant potential properties of these honey products against oxidative stress in an experimental model for colon cancer. Objective: This study was undertaken to investigate the preventive effect of different honey bee product supplementations against AOM-induced oxidative stress and carcinogenesis in rat colon. Methods: Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 10 groups (6 rats/group). The negative control group was fed a basal diet; AOM treated group was fed a basal diet and received AOM intraperitoneal injections once
in once a week for two weeks at a dose of 15 mg/kg bodyweight, whereas the other
eight groups received 4 different oral supplementation of honey bee products, in the
presence or absence of AOM injection. All animals were continuously fed ad-libitum
until aged 16 weeks, then all rats were sacrificed and the colon tissues were
examined for biochemical measurements of oxidative stress. Results: Our results showed that AOM-induced pathological changes and oxidative stress (glutathione depletion, total antioxidant impairment and antioxidant enzymes inhibition) in the colonic tissues. The concomitant treatment of AOM with honey bee products significantly ameliorated the cytotoxic effects of AOM. Conclusion; The results of this study provide in vivo evidence that honey bee products supplementation protects against AOM-induced colon cancer in a mechanism that is mediated by combating
oxidative stress.
