The effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides on liver and spleen caspase and nitric oxide levels in 7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene induced rat leukemia

Leukemia is a malign disease of hematopoetic stem cells. 7,12-Dimethylbenza[a]nthracene (DMBA) is a chemical agent for constituate experimental leukemia. DMBA induced leukemia and cause free radical imbalanced and triggers oxidative stress. Nitric oxide (NO) is a hydrophobic molecule and a free radical, generated through oxidation of l-arginine by a family of constitutive, the NO synthases. NO changes in the expression shows proapoptotic and antiapoptotic effects on caspase-3-like protease activation. Immun stimulator, antidiabetic and anticancerogen effects of Lycium barbarum has shown in a various study. In the light of above information, the aim of this study is to research the anticarcinogenic mechanism of Lycium barbarum (LB) polysaccharides using caspase and NO parameters. In the study was used 18 number female Wistar albino rats. Rats were seperated randomly to three groups as control, leukemia (DMBA) and treatment (DMBA+LBP) group (n=6). DMBA and treatment group was administered DMBA dissolved sesame oil for induce leukemia. After 8 DMBA administration treatment group rats was feeded water extract of Lycium barbarum by oral gavage for 10 days. Rats sacrificed under anesthesia and spleen and liver tissues were examined by nitric oxide and caspase-3 parametres. In liver and spleen tissue nitric oxide decreased in DMBA and treatment groups according to control group. Caspase-3 levels in liver decreased DMBA and treatment group according to control group. As a concequense Lycium barbarum shows hepatoprotective and antiapoptotic effect by decreasing caspase-3 and NOx levels in liver tissue.