Evaluation of the Liver Cancer Prevention of Anthocyanin Extracts from Mulberry (Morus alba L.) Variety PR-01

This study aims to evaluate the preventive effects of anthocyanins extracts (MAEs) from mulberry variety PR-01 against N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in rats. It was found that 150 mg·kg-1 MAEs treatment significantly reduced the NDEA-induced hepatic nodules incidence and hepatocellular carcinoma incidence by 58.30% and 41.70% compared to the model group. Meanwhile, MAEs significantly restored the elevated the liver function enzymes, inhibited the tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-6 levels, elevated the serum interleukin-10 and interferon-γ and increased hepatic glutathione-S-transferase and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 2B1 enzyme activity. Moreover, 150 mg·kg-1 MAEs supplement enhanced glutathione content and the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase activities but reduced the malondialdehyde and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances content by 37.90% and 44.52%. Furthermore, MAEs pretreatment maintained nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1, heme oxygenase-1, and NAD(P)H: quinine oxidoreductase1 stimulation and inhibited the expression of TNF-α, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), indicating that MAEs exhibit effectively prevention effects against liver cancer via decreased lipid peroxidation, induced Nrf2-mediated antioxidant enzymes and attenuating the inflammatory mediators COX-2 through NF-κB pathway. Thus, MAEs of mulberry variety PR-01 may be used as a good functional dietary supplement against liver cancer.