肝细胞癌(HCC)是原发性肝癌的一种常见形式,五年生存率仅为18%。阿魏酸,一种在水果和蔬菜如甜玉米中发现的天然化合物,米糠,还有董奎,是一种令人鼓舞的药物,以其对身体的多种积极作用而闻名,包括消炎药,抗凋亡,和神经保护特性。本研究旨在探讨阿魏酸抑制肝癌大鼠肿瘤生长和炎症的潜在抗肿瘤作用。通过给予硫代乙酰胺在大鼠中诱导HCC。此外,一些大鼠每周三次服用50mg/kg阿魏酸,共16周。通过测量血清α-甲胎蛋白(AFP)并检查用苏木精/曙红或抗HIF-1α染色的肝组织切片来评估肝功能。HIF-1α的肝脏mRNA和蛋白水平,NFκB,TNF-α,mTOR,STAT3,cMyc,和细胞周期蛋白D1进行了检查。结果表明,阿魏酸通过降低血清AFP水平和抑制肝结节来提高大鼠的存活率。此外,阿魏酸改善由HCC诱导的空泡细胞质的外观,减少凋亡核,和坏死性结节.最后,阿魏酸降低HIF-1α的表达,NFκB,TNF-α,mTOR,STAT3,cMyc,和细胞周期蛋白D1。总之,阿魏酸被认为通过抑制HIF-1α表达抑制HCC诱导的缺氧而具有抗肿瘤特性。此外,它有助于减少mTOR的表达,STAT3,cMyc,和细胞周期蛋白D1,从而减缓肿瘤的生长。最后,阿魏酸通过下调NFκB和TNF-α减轻肝组织炎症。
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent form of primary liver cancer with a 5-year survival rate of just 18%. Ferulic acid, a natural compound found in fruits and vegetables such as sweet corn, rice bran, and dong quai, is an encouraging drug known for its diverse positive effects on the body, including anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and neuroprotective properties. Our study aimed to investigate the potential antitumor effects of ferulic acid to inhibit tumor growth and inflammation of HCC in rats. HCC was induced in rats by administering thioacetamide. Additionally, some rats were given 50 mg/kg of ferulic acid three times a week for 16 weeks. Liver function was assessed by measuring serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and examining hepatic tissue sections stained with hematoxylin/eosin or anti-hypoxia induced factor-1α (HIF-1α). The hepatic mRNA and protein levels of HIF-1α, nuclear factor κB (NFκB), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3),
cMyc, and cyclin D1 were examined. The results showed that ferulic acid increased the rats\' survival rate by reducing serum AFP levels and suppressing hepatic nodules. Furthermore, ferulic acid ameliorated the appearance of vacuolated cytoplasm induced by HCC, reduced apoptotic nuclei, and necrotic nodules. Finally, ferulic acid decreased the expression of HIF-1α, NFκB, TNF-α, mTOR, STAT3,
cMyc, and cyclin D1. In conclusion, ferulic acid is believed to possess antitumor properties by inhibiting HCC-induced hypoxia through the suppression of HIF-1α expression. Additionally, it helps in reducing the expression of mTOR, STAT3,
cMyc, and cyclin D1, thereby slowing down tumor growth. Lastly, ferulic acid reduced hepatic tissue inflammation by downregulating NFκB and TNF-α.