Investigation of the effects of Bacopa monnieri on angiogenesis, apoptosis and oxidative stress in tumor microenvironment in AOM-DSS cancer model in mice

Colorectal cancers (CRC) are malignancies with high incidence and mortality rates worldwide and exhibit a multifactorial pathogenesis. In modern oncology, it has become evident that tumor biology is too complex to be explained solely by genetic mutations, leading to the development of more comprehensive approaches. The interactions between stromal cells, immune components, vascular structures, and the extracellular matrix within the tumor microenvironment (TME) play a critical role in tumor progression. Bacopa monnieri (BM) is a plant that has been used in traditional medicine for many years, and its beneficial effects have been reported in several cancer types. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of BM in CRC. In the experimental design, six groups were established: Control; AOM-DSS; AOM-DSS + 0.5 mg/kg BM; AOM-DSS + 2 mg/kg BM; 0.5 mg/kg BM; and 2 mg/kg BM. A total of 60 Balb/c mice were used, with 10 mice per group. At the end of the experiment, blood and colon samples were collected from the animals. Complete blood counts were performed on the blood samples, and the colon samples were examined macroscopically, histopathologically, and immunohistochemically for the expression of VEGF, CD31, caspase-3, 8-OHdG, and 4-HNE. AOM-DSS administration led to the development of adenomatous to adenocarcinomatous lesions, particularly concentrated in the distal colon. In contrast, BM administration was observed to reduce tumor formation. Additionally, BM treatment resulted in decreased tumor spread and reduced expression levels of VEGF, CD31, 8-OHdG, and 4-HNE, while increasing caspase-3 expression. These findings suggest that BM exerts beneficial effects in CRC by suppressing angiogenesis, reducing oxidative stress, and enhancing apoptotic activity. The 2 mg/kg dose of BM was found to be more effective than the 0.5 mg/kg dose. Overall, the study provides promising insights into the potential use of BM in CRC, although further studies are warranted to fully elucidate its therapeutic potential.