EFFECT OF BAMBOO SHOOT FERMENT ON THE METHYLCHOLANTHRENE INDUCED CARCINOGENESIS IN THE MORPHOLOGICAL AND HISTOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS IN MICE

Abstract

The present investigation aims to study the inhibitory effects of fermented medium prepared from the bamboo shoot of Cephalostachyum capitatum Munro against tumour induction by the hepatocarcinogen 20 methylcholanthrene (MC) in albino mice, Mus musculus (L.). Albino mice were induced to develop tumours by a single injection of MC at a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight. MC-induced tumour development occurred in the liver of the mice. Simultaneous treatment of the mice with fermented medium of bamboo shoot fermentation (FM) was started and continued on alternate days for up to 90 days. The growth rate and percentage survival of the FM treated animals were significantly higher than those of the MC-induced animals. Gradual histopathological changes were observed in the liver, including atrophy of hepatic cells, necrosis and fibroblastic proliferation with numerous spindle-shaped cells in the thickened endothelial lining of the portal areas, cloudy swelling of the hepatic cells, irregular sinusoidal dilation, and dilatation and congestion of the central vein. Abnormal mitotic divisions, isonucleosis and anisocytosis were observed to varying degrees. Hyperchromatism and Kupffer cell hyperplasia were also noted. Simultaneous treatment with FM after MC induction showed that atrophy, cloudy swelling of the hepatic cells, abnormal mitotic divisions, hyperchromatism, and chromatin clumping were gradually restored towards normal. The FM contains bioactive materials such as amino acids, ascorbic acid, vitamins, proteins, glycogen, minerals, phenols, phytosterols, microorganisms, and enzymes. These substances may have a protective role in tissues through antioxidant defence mechanisms and may thus contribute to protection against carcinogenesis.