BIOCHEMICAL INFLUENCE OF FICUS EXASPERATA ON THE COLON OF HEALTHY WISTAR RATS AND ITS APOPTOTIC EFFECTS ON COLORECTAL CANCER

Authors

  • Olayemi Mujidat Olude
    University of Benin, Benin City
  • Frank Osarumwense Omoregie
    University of Benin, Benin City

Keywords:

Toxicity, Antioxidant, Apoptosis, Colorectal cancer, Ficus exasperata

Abstract

Dysregulation of the apoptotic pathway is one of the hallmarks of colorectal cancer progression. Apoptosis is a programmed cell death that occurs during normal development and aging. It is genetically regulated and involves intrinsic and extrinsic pathways.  This study investigates how the methanol leaf extract of Ficus exasperata could promote apoptosis in colorectal cancer, and also the effect on colon antioxidant status of apparently healthy Wistar rats. This study was done in three phases. In the first phase, the acute toxicity check of the extract was done using a total of 12 rats. In phase 2, sub-chronic test was carried out with a total of 20 rats divided into four groups. 48 rats with 6 rats in each group were used in the third phase of this study. The third phase investigates the effect of the extract on some apoptotic genes. The oral toxicity test showed that the plant is not toxic to the animals as reflected in the antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation marker. This claim was further supported by the histology result. BAX, BCL2 and TP-53 were the apoptotic genes that were assayed for in this study. BCL-2 an antiapoptotic gene was found to be high in the group that took the carcinogen without treatment. The proapoptotic genes TP53 and BAX were significantly low in this group as well but the extract was able to mitigate the effect of the carcinogen hence, an increase in the relative gene expression of this proapoptotic gene in treated groups.

Dimensions

Adebayo E.A., Ishola O.R., Majolagbe O.N., Adekeye B.T. & Taiwo O.S. (2009). Evaluations of the Methanol Extract of Ficus exasperata Stem and Root for Phytochemical and Antimicrobial Activities. Afri J Plant Sci, 3(12),283-287.

Adetuyi B.O., Adebisi O.A., Adetuyi O.A., Ogunlana O.O., Toloyai P., Egbuna C., Uche C.Z., Khan J., Adumanya O.C.U., & Patrick-Iwuanyanwu K.C. (2022) Ficus exasperata Attenuates Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatic Damage via NF-B Signaling Mechanism in Experimental Rat Model. BioMed Res Int, 6032511. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/6032511

Akinjogunla O. J., & Fatunla, O. K. (2017). In vitro Antibacterial Efficacies of Single and Combined Aqueous Extracts of Ficus exasperata Vahl (Moraceae) and Tetrapleura tetraptera Taub (Fabaceae) on Multi-drug Resistant Bacterial Isolates. Int J Innov Biosci Res, 5(1):31-47.

Akinloye D.I., Akamo A.J., Moses C.A., Oyelakin A.S., Jarikre, T.A., Adeosun T.A., James A.S., Eteng O.E., Eruola O.A., & Sojinu O.S. (2025) Ficus exasperata N-Hexane-Ethyl Acetate Extract Inhibits Lipoxygenase and Protects Against Ccl4 Induced TNF- Upregulation in Female Wistar Rats. Pharmacol Res - Natural Products 6 (2025) 100148. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prenap.2025.100148

Buniyamin A.A., Eric, K.I.Q., & Fabian C.A. (2007). Pharmacognosy and Hypotensive Evaluation of Ficus exasperata Vahl. (Moraceae) leaves. Acta Poloniae Pharmaceut Drug Res, 64 (6),543-546.

Chen H., Miao Q., Geng M., Liu J., Hu Y., Tian L., Pan J., & Yang Y. (2013). Anti-tumor Effect of Rutin on Human Neuroblastoma Cell Lines Through Inducing G2/M Cell Cycle Arrest and Promoting Apoptosis. Sci World J, 269165, http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/269165

Doerflinger M., Glab J.A., & Puthalakath H. (2015). BH3-only proteins: A 20-year stock-take. FEBS J, 282,10061016.

Ebhohon S.O., Asoya E.., & Iyare H.E. (2024). Protective Effects of Vitamin C on Acetaminophen induced Liver and Kidney Toxicity in Male Rats. FJS, 8(1),266-276.

Gavathiotis E., Suzuki M., Davis M.L., Pitter K., Bird G.H., Katz S.G. Tu H., Kim H., Cheng E.H., Tjandra N. & Walensky L.D. (2008). BAX Activation is Initiated at a Novel Interaction Site. Nature, 455(7216),10761081.

Ghareeb A.E., Moawed F.S.M., Ghareeb D.A. & Kandi E.I. (2018). Potential Prophylactic Effect of Berberine Against Rat Colon Carcinoma Induce by 1,2-Dimethyl Hydrazine. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 19(6),1685-1690

Ghibelli L., & Diederich M. (2010) Multistep and Multitask Bax Activation. Mitochondrion 10,604613.

Guo N., & Gao J. (2022). Harmol Alleviates Dimethylhydrazine Induced Colon Cancer by Downregulating Bcl2/IL-6/TNF- Expression in Association with P53 Mediated Apoptosis. Eur J Inflam. 20,114

Hassan A.K., El-Kalaawy A.M. Abd El-Twab S.M., Alblihed M.A. & Ahmed O.M. (2023). Hesperetin and Capecitabine Abate 1,2 Dimethylhydrazine-Induced Colon Carcinogenesis in Wistar Rats via Suppressing Oxidative Stress and Enhancing Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory and Apoptotic Actions. Life, 13, 984. https://doi.org/10.3390/life13040984.

Joruiz S.M., & Bourdon J.C. (2016). P53 Isoforms: Key Regulators of the Cell Fate Decision. Cold Spring Harb. Perspect. Med, 1;6(8):a026039. https://doi.org/10.1101/cshperspect.a026039

Lawal I.O., Uzokwe N.E., Ladipo D.O., Asinwa, I.O. & Igboanugo A.B.I. (2009). Ethnophytotherapeutic Information for the Treatment of High Blood Pressure Among the People of Ilugun, Ilugun area of Ogun State, Southwest, Nigeria. Afri J Pharm Pharmacol, 3 (4),222-226.

Li H., Zhang J., Tong J.H.M., Chan A.W.H., Yu J., Kang W., & To K.F. (2019). Targeting the Oncogenic p53 Mutants in Colorectal Cancer and Other Solid Tumors. science. Int. J. Mol. Sci, 20, 5999. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20235999

Liebl M.C., & Hofmann T.G. (2021). The Role of p53 Signaling in Colorectal Cancer. Cancers, 13, 2125. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers13092125

Odunbaku O.A., Lusanya O.A., & Akasoro, K.S. (2008). Antibacterial Activity of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Ficus exasperata on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Sci Res Essay, 3(11),562 564.

Olude O.M. & Emeninwa C. O. (2025). Ameliorating and Antioxidant Effects of Stem-Bark and Leaf Extracts of Ficus Exasperata On 1,2-Dimethyl Hydrazine Induced Damage of Renal Function. AJHSE, 6(1): 12-22. https://doi.org/10.52417/ajhse.v6i1.553

Olude O.M., & Chukwu O.J. (2023). Protective Effect of Ethanol Extract Of Annona Muricata Leaves on Hematological Profile, Histology and Oxidative Stress in 1,2 Dimethylhydrazine-Induced Colorectal Carcinogenesis in Rats. J Appl Sci Environ Manage. 27(2),257-265

Olude O.M., & Emeninwa, C. O. (2025). Ameliorating and Antioxidant Effects of Stem-Bark and Leaf Extracts of Ficus Exasperata On 1,2-Dimethyl Hydrazine-Induced Damage of Renal Function. AJHSE, 6(1),12-22.

Olude O.M., & Omoregie F.O. (2023). Antioxidant Potential Of Ethanol Extract of Annona Muricata Leaves and Its Inhibitory Effect on Lipid Peroxidation in 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine Induced Colon Carcinogenesis. J Bio Res, 21(3),2079-2090

Olude O.M., & Omoregie, F.O. (2024). Comparative Study for Response to Cycas circinalis-Induced Toxicity in Liver, Kidney and Colon of Rats and Guinea Pigs. AJHSE, 5 (1),23-34.

Saddam M.D., Paul S.K., Habib M.A., Fahim A., Mimi A., Islam S., Paul B. & Hela M.U. (2024). Emerging Biomarkers and Potential Therapeutics of the BCL-2 Protein Family: The Apoptotic and Anti-Apoptotic Context. Egyptian J Med Hum Genet. 25, 12 https://doi.org/10.1186/s43042-024-00485-7

Singh L., Pushker N., Saini N., Sen S., Sharma A., Bakhshi S., Chawla B. & Ashyap, S. (2015). Expression of Pro-apoptotic Bax and Anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 Proteins in Human Retinoblastoma. Clin Exp Ophthalmol, 43,259267

Sonibare M.O., Isiaka A.O., Taruka M.W., Williams N.S., Soladoye M., & Emmanuel O. (2006). Constituents of Ficus exasperata Leaves. Nat Pro Com 1(9),763-765.

Ufuoma B.S., Daniel A.A., Yahaya T., Umar U.L. & Ahmad B. (2020). Acute Toxicity Study of Crude Methanol Leaf Extract of Ficus exasperata Vahl on Male Wistar Albino Rats. Biokemistri, 32(1),47-53.

Vieler M., & Sanyal S. (2018). P53Iisoforms and their Implications in Cancer. Cancers, 10, 288; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers10090288

Wong R.S.Y. (2011). Apoptosis in Cancer: From Pathogenesis to Treatment. J Exp Clin Cancer Res, 30,87-101

Xie Q., Liu Y., & Li X. (2020) The interaction mechanism between autophagy and Apoptosis in Colon Cancer. Trans Oncol, 13,12. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tranon.100871

Xu Q., Shi W., Lv P., Meng W., Mao G., Gong C., Chen Y., Wei Y., He V., Zhao J., Han H., Sun M., & Xiao K. (2020). Critical Role of Caveolin-1 in Aflatoxin B1- Induced Hepatotoxicity via the Regulation of Oxidation and Autophagy. Cell Death Dis. 11,6 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41419-019-2197-6

Yin L., Lin Y., Wang X., Su Y., Hu H., Li C., Wang L., & Jiang Y. (2018). The Family of Apoptosis-Stimulating Proteins of P53 is Dysregulated in Colorectal Cancer Patients. Oncol Letters, 15, 6409-6417. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2018.8151

Published

30-04-2025

How to Cite

BIOCHEMICAL INFLUENCE OF FICUS EXASPERATA ON THE COLON OF HEALTHY WISTAR RATS AND ITS APOPTOTIC EFFECTS ON COLORECTAL CANCER. (2025). FUDMA JOURNAL OF SCIENCES, 9(4), 123-129. https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2025-0904-3340

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 4 (2025): FUDMA Journal of Sciences - Vol. 9 No. 4

Section

Research Articles
Copyright & Licensing

FUDMA Journal of Sciences

How to Cite

BIOCHEMICAL INFLUENCE OF FICUS EXASPERATA ON THE COLON OF HEALTHY WISTAR RATS AND ITS APOPTOTIC EFFECTS ON COLORECTAL CANCER. (2025). FUDMA JOURNAL OF SCIENCES, 9(4), 123-129. https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2025-0904-3340