Oral Administration of Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f. (Xanthorrhoeaceae) and Honey Improves the Host Body Composition and Modulates Proteolysis Through Reduction of Tumor Progression and Oxidative Stress in Rats

Author(s)

Tomasin, Rebeka ^[1] ; de Andrade, Rafael Siqueira ^[1] ; Cintra Gomes-Marcondes, Maria Cristina ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Campinas, UNICAMP, Lab Nutr & Canc, Dept Struct & Funct Biol, Inst Biol, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL FOOD; v. 18, n. 10, p. 1128-1135, OCT 1 2015.
• Web of Science Citations: 3

Abstract

Oxidative stress has a dual role in cancer; it is linked with tumorigenic events and host wasting, as well as senescence and apoptosis. Researchers have demonstrated the importance of coadjuvant therapies in cancer treatment, and Aloe vera and honey have immunomodulatory, anticancer, and antioxidant properties. The preventive and therapeutic effects of Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f. (Xanthorrhoeaceae) and honey in tumor progression and host wasting were analyzed in Walker 256 carcinoma-bearing rats. The animals were distributed into the following groups: C=control-untreated, W=tumor-untreated, WA=treated after tumor induction, A=control-treated, AW=treated before tumor induction, and AWA=treated before and after tumor induction. Proteolysis and oxidative stress were analyzed in the tumor, liver, muscle, and myocardial tissues. The results suggest that the Aloe vera and honey treatment affect the tumor and host by different mechanisms; the treatment-modulated host wasting and cachexia, whereas it promoted oxidative stress and damage in tumor tissues, particularly in a therapeutic context (WA). (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/16115-1 - Biochemical and molecular mechanisms of cachexia. effects of Walker factor and leucine supplementation on myotube cell culture
• Grantee: Maria Cristina Cintra Gomes Marcondes
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 07/05788-4 - Effects of Aloe vera and honey on tumor growth evolution in vivo and in vitro in rats
• Grantee: Rebeka Tomasin
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 10/00209-9 - Nutritional supplementation and cancer cachexia. Biochemical and molecular studies
• Grantee: Maria Cristina Cintra Gomes Marcondes
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 10/00714-5 - "Modulatory Effects of Aloe vera and honey in tumour growth"
• Grantee: Rebeka Tomasin
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate