Saudi Journal of Biomedical Research (SJBR)
Volume-4 | Issue-04 | 147-154
Original Research Article
Effects of Indole-3-carbinol on Inflammatory and Prooncogenic Mediators in Solid Ehrlich Carcinoma Induced Mice
Almokhtar A. Adwas, Azab Elsayed Azab, Ata Sedik Ibrahim Elsayed
Published : April 30, 2019
Abstract
Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) and its metabolites were proven to suppress the proliferation of various cancer cell lines by
targeting a wide spectrum of signaling pathways that regulate hormonal homeostasis, cell cycle progression, and cell
proliferation. Moreover, I3C inhibited tumorigenesis in mammary glands, liver, lung, and gastrointestinal tract in
different animal models. These preclinical findings demonstrate the value of I3C in cancer prevention and therapy, which
has led to its trial in cervical dysplasia, breast cancer, leukemia and recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. This study
aimed to investigate the effects of different doses of I3C on inflammatory mediators, IL-6 and TNF-α levels and
prooncogenic mediator, SphK1 activity, in tumor tissue in Solid Ehrlich Carcinoma (SEC) Tumor Model. Eighty
BALB/c male mice were used in this study. Except for mice in the control group, each mouse was implanted
subcutaneously with 0.2 ml of the ascites fluid containing 1x106 Ehrlich carcinoma cells (ECCs) into the thigh of the hind
limb. Mice were divided into four groups (20 mice per group) as follow: Control group, Solid Ehrlich carcinoma (SEC)
control group, Indole-3-carbinol (I3C 1000 ppm) group, in which mice were put on a diet containing 1000 ppm I3C
starting seven days before and continued for 42 days after tumor inoculation, Indole-3-carbinol (I3C 2000 ppm) group, in
which mice were put on a diet containing 2000 ppm I3C starting seven days before and continued for 42 days after tumor
inoculation. Administration of I3C (1000 and 2000 ppm) to ECCs-bearing mice resulted in significant decrease in tumor
volume and increased survival rate. Subcutaneous implantation of ECCs resulted in significant increase in tumor tissue
SphK1 activity, TNF-α and IL-6 levels and administration of I3C (1000 and 2000 ppm) to ECCs-bearing mice resulted in
significant decrease in all of these oncogenic and inflammatory mediators.