Chuquiraga spinosa Lessing: A medicinal plant for gastric cancer induced by N-methyl-N-nitroso-urea (NMU)

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most frequent diseases in human population: Many plants from Peruvian flora is used to treat cancer as alternative treatment. Chuquiraga spinosa Lessing (ChS) is a species with high potential therapeutic due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect as well as protective against prostate cancer. Objective: The main objective was to evaluate the possible protective effect of Chuquiraga spinosa extract on NMU (N-methyl-N nitrosourea)-induced gastric cancer in rats. Methods: Gastric carcinogenesis was induced in 30 male Holtzman rats by providing NMU 50 μg/Kg by oral administration for 16 weeks. Ethanolic extract of ChS aerial parts was administered at doses 50, 250 and 500 mg/Kg per oral. The protective effect was determined through weight controls, biochemical and hematological parameters; the antioxidant capacity by superoxide dismutase (SOD), nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and anti-inflammatory capacity by the level of C-reactive protein (CRP). The tumors were monitored by using histological examinations. Results: Oral administration of Chuquiraga spinosa extract significantly decreased superoxide dismutase malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, C-reactive protein levels (p<0,01, p<0,01, p<0,01 and p<0,01 respectively compared with Inductor group).There was a significant increase in the weights of animals (P<0.05). Conclusion: Considering the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties of Chuquiraga spinosa extract, we conclude that it has a protective effect on NMU induced gastric cancer in rats.