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ABSTRACT
Colorectal cancer entails an unregulated proliferation of cells of the colon and rectum. It currently ranks one of the top most diagnosed metastasis globally, being considered an epidemic and calls for unparalleled attention. The present study investigated the antiproliferative potential of Ficus exasperata, a well-known medicinal plant in DMH-induced colorectal cancer. DMH has been indicted as a carcinogen of the colon and rectum. The study administered 30 mg/kg of DMH twice a week to induce colon and rectum metastasis in 6 different groups apart from the normal and positive controls which received feed as well as water and extract respectively and then treated with 500 and 750 mg /kg (simultaneously, pre-treatment with extract, and post-treatment with extract) body weight of Ficus exasperata.as well as a standard anticancer drug for a period of 11 weeks. At the end of the study, animals were fasted overnight and then sacrificed by means of anaesthesia with chloroform and a pair of sterilized scissors and then, blood samples were collected from the abdominal aorta and heart. Blood electrolytes (Sodium, potassium and chloride) as well as red blood cell indices (MCH and MCV) were estimated. Results reveal significant differences (p < 0.05) with extract and DMH-only administered groups. Sodium ion was significantly reduced in the treated groups compared to the normal and negative controls. Potassium ion was significantly reduced in the negative control group, extract administration however, improved its concentration in relation to the normal control. Chloride estimation gave no significant difference between normal and negative controls; however, treatment groups reveal elevated concentration compared to normal control. MCV was elevated in positive control compared to all others. Treatment groups except one did not show statistical significance with positive control. For MCH, DMH administration decreased hemoglobin size; leading to reduced oxygen delivery to tissues. Extract administration increased the hemoglobin size in the positive control compared with the normal control. DMH administration decreased hemoglobin size; however, the treated groups recorded improvement with hemoglobin size. Following the results obtained, it can be ascertained that DMH induced physiological alterations leading to electrolyte imbalance with symptoms of irregular heartbeat, loss of muscle control, confusion, severe dehydration, muscle twitching etc. Extract administration at selected doses especially, 500mg/kg however, activated restoration mechanisms in experimental rats and therefore can be said to possess anticancer potential.
