Chemopreventive Potential of Select Herbal Teas and Spices on Azoxymethane-Induced Aberrant Crypt Foci in Fisher 344 Male Rats

Colon cancer is the third leading cause of death in the US. Selected herbal teas and spices may reduce incidence of chronic diseases, including cancer. The objective of this study was to identify the effect of strawberry leaf, raspberry leaf, hibiscus teas and cinnamon on azoxymethane (AOM)-induced aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in Fisher 344 male rats. After acclimatization period (1 wk), 49 male weanling rats were divided into 16 groups. Control (CON) group fed AIN-93G diet; 15 treatment groups were administered control diet + strawberry leaf tea (STW), raspberry leaf tea (RAS), hibiscus tea (HIB), cinnamon (CIN), strawberry leaf tea + cinnamon (STW + CIN), raspberry leaf tea + cinnamon, (RAS + CIN), hibiscus tea + cinnamon (HIB + CIN), and strawberry leaf tea + raspberry leaf tea + hibiscus tea + cinnamon in combination (COM) at 2 levels each (teas added at 1% and 2%; CIN added at 2.5% and 5%). Rats received 24 mg/kg body weight AOM in saline s/c at 7 and 8 weeks of age. Animals received experimental diets until sacrificed by CO2 asphyxiation (17 weeks of age). ACF were enumerated in colons. Hepatic antioxidant enzymes were determined; superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and glutathione (GH). Treatment groups had reduction in ACF compared to CON (154). Lowest ACF observed in HIB 2% + CIN 5% (13.16) with 91.45% reduction compared to CON. ACF observed in treatment groups administered teas and cinnamon combinations were lower than those administered teas singly. SOD and CAT activities in rats administered treatment diets were higher than CON (13.63 U/mL, 0.95 umol·min-l·ml-1). Rats administered COM (20.65 U/mL) had highest SOD activity. CAT activity was 51.27% higher in rats administered HIB 2% (1.96 umol·min-l·ml-1). GPX activity ranged from 7.26 (STW 1% + CIN 2.5%) to 9.59 (STW 2%) umol·min-l·ml-1. Results suggest that herbal teas and spices may reduce the risk of colon cancer and improve antioxidant status; regular consumption may provide beneficial health effects.