Inhibitory effect of Trianthema portulacastrum L-diethylnitroso-amine-induced phenobarbital promoted hepatocarcinogenesis

The chloroform extract (active components from the exotic weed Trianthema p ortulacastrum L. of Aizoaceae, showed remarkable effect in the reduction of DENA-induced rat hepatocarcinogenesis. Hepatocarcinogenesis was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by a single intraperitonial injection of diethyln itrosoamine (DENA) at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight. Chloroform extract o f T. portulacastrum at a dose of 100 mg/kg/body wt. to the basal medium/per animal once daily was administered following DENA injection. Morphometric evaluation revealed that the fraction reduced the incidence, numerical prep onderance, multiplicity and size distribution of visible pre-neoplastic nod ules. Further focal lesions showed a reduction of altered liver cell foci/c m(2) and a reduction of average focal area. A decrease in the percentage of liver parenchyma occupied by foci all seem to suggest the anticarcinogenic potential of Trianthema portulacastrum in DENA-induced rat hepato carcinog enesis.