Abstract

The administration effect of Cola nut extract (Cn) during hepatocarcinogenesis was studied to investigate the possible cancer suppressive effect of the component that existed in the leaves. The rats (66 Male Spraque Dawley) were divided into 11 groups: N (Normal), C (Cancer), NCn1 (Normal + Cn 1%), NCn2.5 (Normal + Cn 2.5%), NCn5 (Normal + Cn 5%), CCn1 (Cancer + Cn 1%), CCn2.5 (Cancer + Cn 2.5%), CCn5 (Cancer + Cn 5%), CG1 (Cancer + Glycyrrhizin 1%), CG2.5 (Cancer + Glycyrrhizin 72.5%) and CG5 (Cancer + Glycyrrhizin 5%). 1, 2.5, and 5% (w/v) of cola nut extract were used, compared with Glycyrrhizin, the commercial anticancer drug used mainly for liver. Rats were induced with cancer by using diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and 2-acetyl-aminofluorene (AAF), the administration effect was studied by estimation of glutathione S-transferase (GST) and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) in liver. The supplementation effect of cola nut extract and DEN/AAF into the body and liver weight of rats were also studied. Treatment with DEN/AAF caused increase in rats liver weight and all enzyme activities measured when compared with the control. However, DEN/AAF caused decrease of rats body weights. Significant differences were observed among all the treatment groups for GST and GGT activities.

Key words: Tumour marker enzymes, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), glutathione S-transeferase (GST), cola nut, hepatocarcinogenesis.