Lung cancer, one of the most often diagnosed
malignancies, is the top cause of death in both men and women globally. In both developed and emerging countries, high incidences of
cancer are becoming a huge health burden. Natural resources, including plants, have always been a possible source of lead compounds in the identification of optimal medications for
cancer treatment, with natural resources accounting for around half of all anticancer drugs.
Ruscogenin, a natural
saponin, is a major component of Radix Ophiopogon japonicus with a well-established anticancer activity. In this study, the anticancer potential of
ruscogenin against a B(a)P-challenged
lung cancer model in mice was assessed. The mice were categorized into four groups: group I was as the control group, group II mice were challenged with B(a)P, group III rodents were treated with
ruscogenin prior to challenge with B(a)P, and group IV rodents were treated with
ruscogenin after B(a)P administration.
Tumor incidence was calculated, and the following parameters were analyzed:
body weight, lung weight,
immunoglobulin (Ig) levels (
IgG,
IgA, and
IgM), key marker
enzymes, and proinflammatory
cytokines in both treated and control mice. Lung tissues were analyzed via histopathological analysis. According to our results, all the markers that favor the growth of
cancer were increased in the
lung cancer group. After administration of
ruscogenin, all the markers returned to their original levels, revealing the anticancer potential of
ruscogenin.