Abstract

Gossypol, C₃₀H₃₀O_8, is a polyphenolic aldehyde compound derived from the cotton plant (genus Gossypium, family Malvaceae) that permeates cells and inhibits wide range of cell growth. It also disturbs a variety of cellular enzymes that are known to be involved in energy production. According to literature survey there is no study on the effect of gossypol on experimental gastric cancer. Here, we used gossypol as model of polyphenolic compounds, because it possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties and is used as a dietary supplement. The animals were divided into five groups and the effects of gossypol on simultaneous and post-treated stages studied in MNNG induced animals. The results of body and tumor weights were monitored, significant increase in the level of lipid peroxides and protein carbonyls were observed on gossypol treatment. There is also a significant alteration in the antioxidant status which is found to be increased on administration of gossypol at dosage of 40 mg/kgbwt for 30 days. The results of the present study suggest that gossypol may exert its cytoprotective effects by modulating lipid peroxidation and enhancing the level of antioxidant enzymes status of the tumor bearing animals. Thus, we conclude that up-regulation of antioxidants by gossypol treatment might be responsible for the decreased effect in gastric carcinoma.

Key words: Gossypol, n-methyl-n’-nitro-n-nitrosoguanidine, lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyls, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, body weight and tumor weight.