Yacon flour (Smallanthus sonchifolius) attenuates intestinal morbidity in rats with colon cancer

Yacon flour (YF) (Smallanthus sonchifolius) is source of fructooligosaccharides (FOS) which are prebiotic with effects unknown in the colorectal cancer (CRC). This study investigated the intestinal effects of supplementation with 7.5% FOS from YF for 8 weeks on CRC induced by 1.2-dimethylhydrazine (25 mg/kg/body weight) in male Wistar rats. The animals were divided in groups: S (without YF and without induced CRC, n = 10), Y (with YF and without induced CRC, n = 10), C (without YF and with induced CRC, n = 10) and CY (with YF and with induced CRC, n = 10). The animals that received YF had a percentage reduction of aberrant crypts focus in more than 40%, lower intestinal permeability, luminal content more acidic and with higher concentrations of SCFA. In addition, there was an increase in the depth and number of colonic crypts. In conclusion, we observed that YF promoted beneficial effects on the intestinal health of animals with induced CRC.