The Effects of Radix Curcumae Extract on Expressions of VEGF, COX-2 and PCNA in Gastric Mucosa of Rats Fed with MNNG

Aim: To study the effects of an extract solution from radix curcumae on the expressions of VEGF, COX-2 and PCNA in gastric mucosa of rats during carcinogenesis induced MNNG. Methods: Eighty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: group A, water and normal saline; group B, MNNG and normal saline; group C, MNNG and celecoxib; group D, MNNG and low-dose (1g/ml) radix curcumae steam distillation extract solution; group E, MNNG and high-dose (2g/ml) radix curcumae wet distillation extract solution. In the end of the 40th week, all rats alive were sacrificed and the expressions of VEGF, COX-2 and PCNA in gastric mucosa were determined by immunohistochemistry. Results: The expression levels of VEGF and COX-2 and the optical density levels of PCNA in group C, D and E were remarkably lower than that of group B (P<0.05), while the optical density levels of PCNA in group E were higher than that of group C and D (P<0.05). Conclusions: The distilled extract of curcumae can down-regulate the expressions of VEGF, COX-2 and PCNA in the gastric mucosa of rats during carcinogenesis induced MNNG and can reduce the incidence of gastric caner, suggesting it maybe as a potential chemopreventive agent for gastric cancer.