Protective effect of Emilia sonchifolia on azaserine-induced pancreatic dysplasia

AimThe present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of Emilia sonchifolia on azaserine (O-diazoacetyl-L-serine)-induced pancreatic dysplasia in Wistar albino rats.MethodsAdministration of azaserine [30 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneal (i.p.) weekly for 1 month] to male Wistar albino rats resulted in pancreatic dysplasia, which was evident from the histopathological studies.ResultsA significant decrease of pancreatic and hepatic enzymatic antioxidants like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and non-enzymatic antioxidants like vitamin C, glutathione (GSH) content, and a significant increase in pancreatic serum amylase and lipase, and hepatic marker enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were found. Treatment of rats with the n-hexane extract of Emilia sonchifolia for 16 weeks resulted in a concomitant reduction in pancreatic and hepatic damage.ConclusionThe results suggest that Emilia sonchifolia can be used as a therapeutic agent against precancerous lesions which could prevent pancreatic dysplasia.