Extract of radix curcumae prevents gastric cancer in rats.

OBJECTIVE

Radix curcumae is a Chinese medicinal herb commonly used in the treatment of malignancy. This study was to investigate the chemopreventive effect of an extract solution from radix curcumae in a rat model of gastric cancer induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG).

METHODS

Eighty male Wistar rats were randomly allocated to 5 groups administered different agents for 40 weeks: group A, water and normal saline; group B, MNNG and normal saline; group C, MNNG and celecoxib; group D, MNNG and low-dose (1 g/ml) radix curcumae steam distillation extract solution; group E, MNNG and high-dose (2 g/ml) radix curcumae wet distillation extract solution. At the end of week 40, all rats alive were sacrificed. Gastric cancer and precancerous lesions in the stomach were evaluated by histology.

RESULTS

In total there were 35 deaths during the study period. The incidences of gastric cancer were 0.0% (0/16) in group A, 44.4% (7/16) in group B, 12.5% (2/16) in group C, 12.5% (2/16) in group D and 12.5% (2/16) in group E. Tumor incidence and tumor volume were significantly lower in groups C, D and E compared to those in group B (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference of tumor incidence and tumor volume among groups C, D and E (p = 1.000).

CONCLUSION

Extract solution from radix curcumae obtained by the steam distillation procedure has a chemopreventive effect on gastric cancer induced by MNNG in rats.