Modulatory effect of pomegranate extract on TRPA1, TRPM2 and caspase-3 expressions in colorectal cancer induction of mice

Abstract

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the effects of pomegranate fruit extract (PFE) on levels of transient receptor potential (TRP) channel and caspase-3 (Casp-3) expressions, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), total sialic acid (TSA), reduced glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in mice with induced colorectal cancer (CRC) by investigating effects of PFE on in vitro mitotic index (MI). Methods Different PFE concentrations on​​ MI against 0.3 μg/mL mitomycin-C (MMC) in cell culture were evaluated by binocular light microscopy. During in vivo applications on Balb/c mice, it was given once physiological saline to group I, PFE for ten weeks to group II, a single dose of azoxymethane (AOM) plus dextran sulfate sodium in drinking water (DSS) to group III, and AOM plus DSS plus PFE to group IV. Tissue samples were evaluated by western blotting, spectrophotometric, and histopathological methods. Results Expressions of Casp-3, TRP ankyrin 1 (TRPA1), and melastatin 2 (TRPM2) channels and TNF-α, TSA, GSH, and MDA concentrations in evaluated tissues had significantly better levels in PFE-treated groups compared to CRC-induced mice. Conclusions Results of the present study indicate that PFE application in mice with induced CRC may be an important modulator of TRPA1 and TRPM2 channels, apoptosis, and inflammatory response by decreasing oxidative stress.