Assessment of Basella Alba on Chemical Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Rats

Abstract

Gaddam Dayanand Reddy, Ramaswamy Karthik, Sanjeev Kumar Ojha, Chandana Venkateswara Rao, Mazhuvancherry Unnikrishnan and Palpu Pushpangadan

Chemical hepatotoxins including diethylnitrosamine (NDEA) and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) frequently induce hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. Conventional therapy is still limited due to toxicity and poor prognosis, generating renewed interest in natural products as safer alternatives. Basella alba (B. alba) an edible leafy vegetable that has long been used in folk medicine, includes flavonoids, phenolics, carotenoids, and saponins, all of which have strong antioxidant properties. B. alba extract was administered to rats with NDEA + CCl4-induced HCC for 16 weeks. Biochemical, oxidative stress, and histological markers were assessed. The extract effectively restored blood liver function indices, reduced lipid peroxidation, increased antioxidant enzyme activity, and improved hepatic architecture by lowering necrosis and fibrosis. These data show that B. alba has substantial hepatoprotective and chemopreventive effect against chemically generated HCC, most likely due to its antioxidant and membrane-stabilizing capabilities. The findings support its traditional use and emphasise its potential as a functional food and phytotherapeutic agent for liver cancer, necessitating additional mechanistic and clinical research.

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