The Antioxidant and Chemopreventive Activity of a Nutraceutical Derived from Brassicaceae Seed Extracts for Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

Background. Worldwide, colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer. It is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Recent studies establish a relationship between natural compounds from plants with the prevention and treatment of cancer. Specifically, glucosinolates with antitumoral capacity and polyphenols with the ability to scavenge free radicals that can cause cell damage have been identified in the Brassicaceae family. Objectives. Based on the previously mentioned factors, this study aimed to develop a nutraceutical made with extracts from different Brassicaceae seeds and study its antioxidant and antiproliferative action in vitro and in vivo using the AOM/DSS model in CC57BL6J mice. Results. Extract from the seeds of Eruca sativa and Sinapis alba showed the highest antioxidant capacity among the different species studied and were selected for nutraceutical formulation, which was potentially absorbable (73%) after an in vitro digestion process. In total, thirty compounds were identified in the nutraceutical that could be responsible for its antioxidant and tumoral prevention capacity. The intake of nutraceutical was a successful intervention to prevent the development of polyps by 31.6% and their size by 53.9%. When the nutritional intervention was used in combination with a physical exercise protocol, these parameters dropped to 52.3% and 62.6%, respectively. Conclusions. These findings suggest that the consumption of a diet rich in bioactive compounds from Brassica species, in combination with physical activity, is a valuable prevention strategy for colorectal cancer. However, more research is required to evaluate the efficacy and safety of these interventions in clinical settings.

Keywords: Brassicaceae; Eruca sativa; Sinapis alba; cancer prevention; colorectal cancer; nutraceutical.

Figure 1

Chromatographic profile of bioactive compounds identified in the nutraceutical using high-performance liquid chromatography.

Figure 2

(A) Body weight, (B) food intake, and (C) water intake of mice fed different experimental diets. CT−, healthy animals fed the control diet. CT+, tumor-induced animals fed the control diet. NT, tumor-induced animals fed the control diet supplemented with the nutraceutical. NT + Ex, tumor-induced animals fed the control diet supplemented with the nutraceutical combined with the exercise protocol. Results are expressed as the means plus the SD (vertical bars) of 15 replicates.

Figure 3

Effect of the nutritional intervention (NT), alone or in combination with physical exercise (NT + Ex), on the number of polyps and the area occupied by polyps. Asterisks (*) indicate each of the polyps identified in the colons of the animals. Arrows point to the polyps located in the enlarged segment of the colon. Results are expressed as the means plus the SD (parenthesis) of 15 replicates. Means values with different letters (a and b) represent significant differences (ANOVA, p < 0.05).

Figure 4

Representative H&E-stained histological images following tumor induction via AOM/DSS. The Swiss roll technique was used to analyze the colon (scale bar = 1000 μm [top row] and 100 μm [bottom row]). Arrows indicate polyps with dysplasia. CT−, healthy animals fed the control diet. CT+, tumor-induced animals fed the control diet. NT, tumor-induced animals fed the control diet supplemented with the nutraceutical. NT + Ex, tumor-induced animals fed the control diet supplemented with the nutraceutical combined with the exercise protocol.

Figure 5

Representative images of the histological analysis of organs from different experimental groups. The H&E method was used to analyze the liver (A), spleen (B), and kidneys (C). In spleen samples, the white pulp and the red pulp are indicated by (a) and (b), respectively. Bars, 100 µm.

Figure 6

Metagenomic analysis of caecum content in the experimental groups, showing bacterial abundance at the level of phylum (A) and genus (B). CT−, healthy animals fed the control diet. CT+, tumor-induced animals fed the control diet. NT, tumor-induced animals fed the control diet supplemented with the nutraceutical. NT + Ex, tumor-induced animals fed the control diet supplemented with the nutraceutical combined with the exercise protocol. Results are the means of 8 replicates.