Abstract

The colon carcinogenesis chemopreventive potential of different levels of Balanites aegyptica and Ziziphus spina-christy diets supplemented at 2.5%, 5% and 10% were examined on N-Methyl-N-Nitrosourea induced colon carcinogenesis in male wistar rats. Following ten (10) weeks of induction with N-Methyl-N-Nitrosourea (MNU) and concomitant feeding with supplemented diets, it was observed that groups on diet supplemented with Balanites aegypticaand Ziziphus spina-christyshowed a significant (p˂0.05) decrease in carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels in a dose-dependent manner. There was a significant (p˂0.05) increase in the body weight of the MNU treated with 10 % Balanites aegypticaand Ziziphus spina-christy supplemented diet group. The feeding rate among the treatment groups showed no significant (p˂0.05) difference. Furthermore, there was no significant (p˂0.05) difference in white blood cell, red blood cell counts, hemoglobin concentration and platelets. The MNU treated group that the diet was supplemented with the 10% Balanites aegypticaand Ziziphus spina-christy showed significant increase in superoxide dismutase and catalase activity, while the photomicrograph of the colon of MNU control showed hyperchromiticity, atrophy of gland and necrosis compared to normal mucosal features observed in the normal control with normal colon features. These findings suggest that Balanites aegypticaand Ziziphus spina-christy especially at 10% supplementation level were able to provide a chemopreventive effect against colon carcinogenesis, probably because of their fiber, polyphenol and flavonoid contents.