Isolation of Some Bioactive Compounds in the Methanol Extract of Ficus exasperata Leaves and the Effect of the Extract on Inflammatory Markers in 1,2 Dimethylhydrazine Induced Colorectal Cancer in Rats.

Background. Colorectal cancer remains the third dominant cancer and is one of the leading cancer-related deaths in the world. The current investigation explores the chemoprotective roles of Ficus exasperata against inflammation and oxidative stress in 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced colorectal cancer in rats. Some bioactive compounds were also isolated. Material and methods. Forty-eight Wistar rats were grouped in 8 cages; group 1; control, group 2 was treated with 500mg/kg body weight of extract, group 3 received DMH twice a week, group 4 was treated with both the extract (500mg/kg b.w) and DMH, group 5 was treated with the extract (750mg/kg b.w) and DMH, group 6 was pretreated with the extract before DMH administration, group 7 was given DMH before the commencement of extract and group 8 was given the carcinogen and treated with 12.5mg/kg b.w of 5-fluorouracil simultaneously. Using high-performance liquid chromatography some bioactive compounds were isolated from the leaves extract of Ficus exasperata. Results and conclusions. The bioactive compounds present in high quantity include; alpha-caryophyllene, isoquinoline, quercetin, kaempferol and rutin. After the 12th week, the animals were sacrificed. Total protein, catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities were statistically significantly lower in group 3 (p < 0.05) compared with other groups. Gene expression of the Interleukins and cyclooxygenase 2 were statistically reduced and significant in all the groups except group 3. The extract suppressed the inflammatory cascade and also boosted antioxidant activities. This might be a result of some anticancer compounds that were discovered during the isolation of the compounds present in the plant.