Antioxidative and Apoptotic Activities of Vernonia amygdalina Ethanolic Extract in the AOM/DSS Mice Model of Colon Cancer

Abstract

This study examined the efficacy and safety of Vernonia amygdalina ethanol extract (VAEE) therapy in treating azoxymethane/dextran sulfate sodium (AOM/DSS)-induced colon cancer in mice, aiming to uncover the underlying mechanisms. A colon cancer mice model was used to evaluate the effects of VAEE on antioxidant enzyme levels and apoptosis. VAEE treatment increased SOD and caspase-3 levels while reducing MDA and Bcl-2 levels. These results indicate the potential of VAEE as an anticancer agent, with several doses showing significant increases in SOD and caspase-3 levels while significantly reducing MDA and Bcl-2 levels compared to the negative control (p<0.05). A dose of 500 mg/kg BW appears to be a potential candidate anticancer agent. Further studies on the molecular mechanisms and long-term effects are needed to support clinical applications.

Keywords: Antioxidants, AOM/DSS, Apoptosis, VAEE, Colon Cancer