Ameliorative Role Of Quercetin Dihydrate In Diethylnitrosamine-Mediated Hepatic Carcinogenesis In Wistar Rats

Abstract: Objective: Hepatocellular carcinoma is a well-known prevalent, asymptomatic disease worldwide. Quercetin dihydrate treats liver cancer and has antiproliferative, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective properties. The goal of the current study is to assess Quercetin dihydrate's (QDH) chemoprotective and therapeutic effects against hepatic cancer caused by diethylnitrosamine (DEN). Material and method: To induce hepatocellular carcinoma, Wistar rats received 200 mg/kg of diethyl nitrosamine. Over 16 weeks, five groups were treated with QDH and a standard drug via oral gavage. The study evaluated QDH's anti-proliferative effects by analyzing serum biomarkers, hematological profiles, antioxidant and membrane-bound enzymes, and inflammatory markers. Histological and microscopic examinations were performed to validate the biochemical and therapeutic outcomes of QDH treatment. Results: QDH exerts chemopreventive effects in DENA-induced hepatocellular carcinoma by enhancing antioxidant and membrane-bound enzyme activities, reducing inflammatory markers via the NF-κB pathway, and lowering serum hepatic markers. It restores liver architecture dose-dependently and inhibits the EGFR/ERK1/2 signaling pathway and related genes, highlighting its combined antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions in combating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Conclusion: Our results confirm that QDH provides a protective effect against DEN-induced hepatocarcinogenesis and offers a potential strategy to enhance clinical outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma treatment