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Does Senna Extract Promote Growth of Aberrant Crypt Foci and Malignant Tumors in Rat Colon?

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Abstract

Current evidence suggests that aberrant cryptfoci (ACF) can be used to evaluate agents for theirpotential colon carcinogenic activity. The aim of thepresent study was to determine whether senna pod extract (SE) itself induces ACF and tumors in the ratcolon or increases the development of ACF and tumorsinduced by azoxymethane (AOM). A daily administration ofSE 10 mg/kg by mouth for 13-28 weeks produced a weak laxative effect but did not itself causethe appearance of ACF or tumors. The numbers of ACF andtumors induced by AOM were, however, increased by a doseof SE (100 mg/kg) able to induce chronic diarrhea over three months. These resultssuggest that SE does not cause the appearance of ACF ortumors in the rat colon nor does it have a promotingeffect when given to rats at a dose that produceslaxation (10 mg/kg), whereas a diarrhogenic dose (100mg/kg) increases the appearance of tumors induced byAOM.

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Authors
  1. Nicola Mascolo
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  2. Eugenio Mereto
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  3. Francesca Borrelli
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  4. Patrizia Orsi
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  5. Daniela Sini
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  6. Angelo A. Izzo
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  7. Barbara Massa
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  8. Maurizio Boggio
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  9. Francesco Capasso
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Mascolo, N., Mereto, E., Borrelli, F. et al. Does Senna Extract Promote Growth of Aberrant Crypt Foci and Malignant Tumors in Rat Colon?. Dig Dis Sci 44, 2226–2230 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026696402212

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