Ficus Exasperata Suppresses Early Events in Colorectal Carcinogenesis by Down Regulating the Expression of Beta-Catenin, Enhancing Adenomatous Polyposis Coli and Boosting the Immune System.

Wingless (Wnt) signaling is a cascade known in the regulation of development and physiology. Abnormalities in the components of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway have been a major cause of cancer especially in colorectal cancer (CRC). This study investigates the effect of methanol leaf extract of Ficus exasperata (MEFE) on the wnt signaling pathway considering beta-catenin and adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) as key markers. This study further delves into the quantitative and qualitative phytochemicals present in the leaf extract. Malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) level and some haematological indices were also assayed for in the test animals. A total of forty-eight Wistar rats grouped into 8 cages were used for this study. The control group was the first group, group 2 was treated with extract alone (500mg/kg body weight) while group 3 rats were injected subcutaneously with 40mg/kg b.w of 1,2- dimethyl hydrazine (DMH) twice a week, group 4 was treated with both the leaves extract (500mg/kg b.w) and DMH, group 5 was treated with the leaves extract (750mg/kg b.w) and DMH, group 6 was pretreated with the leaves extract (500mg/kg b.w) before the administration of DMH, group 7 (post-treated) was given DMH for some weeks before the commencement of treatment with the leaves extract (500mg/kg b.w) and group 8 was given the carcinogen and treated with a standard drug (12.5mg/kg b.w of 5-fluorouracil} simultaneously. Appreciable amount of phenol, flavonoid, tannin and anthocyanidin were present in the plant extract. Alkaloids terpenoids, phytosterols, saponins and anthraquinones were also found in the plant. The plant was able to inhibit oxidative stress and also suppress the expression of β-catenin while enhancing the expression of adenomatous polyposis coli. The immune system of the rats was strengthened by the extract. The haemoglobin and red blood cell levels of rats treated with the plant extract were within the normal range compared to the control (p<0.05). Keywords: Wnt/β-catenin, Adenomatous polyposis coli, Colorectal cancer, Phytochemicals, Oxidative stress.