Effect of Momordica charantia and Ocimum basilicum on KRAS expression in AOM-induced colon cancer in rats
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Abstract. Okelola CA, Odufuwa KT, Ezima EN, Adegbesan BO, Bello TH. 2025. Effect of Momordica charantia and Ocimum basilicum on KRAS expression in aom-induced colon cancer in rats. Asian J Nat Prod Biochem 23: 93-100. KRAS is one of the most frequently mutated oncogenes in colorectal cancer (CRC), contributing to tumor progression and therapeutic resistance. In light of increasing interest in phytotherapy, this study investigated the modulatory effects of aqueous extracts of Momordica charantia and Ocimum basilicum on KRAS gene expression in azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colon cancer in rats. Forty adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into five groups (n = 8 per group): three treatment groups (receiving 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/day of the extract), an AOM-only negative control, and a distilled water-treated normal control. AOM was administered at 20 mg/kg/week for four weeks to induce colon carcinogenesis. After treatment, colon tissues were harvested for histological examination and KRAS gene expression analysis using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, and phenols in the extracts. Histological evaluation revealed dose-dependent protection in extract-treated groups, with restoration of mucosal structure and reduced atypical features. qRT-PCR showed significant downregulation of KRAS gene expression in the high-dose group (200 mg/kg), with a 2.8-fold reduction compared to the AOM-only group (p < 0.01). The medium-dose group showed a moderate 1.6-fold reduction, while the low-dose group exhibited slight upregulation of KRAS expression. These findings suggest that aqueous extracts of M. charantia and O. basilicum exert chemopreventive effects in AOM-induced colon cancer, likely through phytochemical-mediated downregulation of oncogenic KRAS expression and preservation of colon histoarchitecture. The study supports the potential use of these plants as complementary agents in colorectal cancer therapy.
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