Sesame and resistant starch reduce the colon carcinogenesis and oxidative stress in 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced cancer in Wistar rats

Whole sesame paste (WSP) and resistant starch type 2 (RS2) have been shown to have health benefits. This in vivo study evaluated the protective effect of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) on colon carcinogenesis in rats on diets containing WSP and RS-2. Four formulations were produced according to AIN-93G, as follows: A (control); B (WSP); C (WSP and RS2); and D (RS2), using a twin-screw extruder in the same conditions. Weaned Wistar male rats were divided into 8 groups of 8 animals each. The animals were fed the diets over 28 days and received injections of DMH or EDTA from days 14 to 21. There was no significant (Tukey's test, p < 0.05) difference in growth profile, liver and muscle glycogen in rats on all diets. In the DMH groups, the protective effect of both WSP and RS2 was observed for diets B, C, and D, reducing from 60 to 80% the values of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and aberrant crypt (AC), and from 98 to 100% the mucin-depleted ACF, and with reduction in oxidative stress as compared to the control diet (Kruskal-Wallis, p < 0.05). These results indicate that both the antioxidant compounds in sesame and the products of colonic fermentation of resistant starch were beneficial to protect the mucosa against chemical carcinogenesis induced by DMH.