Apoptotic and anti-angiogenic activity of Hypericum perforatum L on 4-(methylnitrosamino)- 1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone-induced lung cancer in rats

Purpose, St. John's wort (HypericumperforatumL.) is widely known as an herbal medicine used to treat anxiety, depression and wounds but has not been tested as lung cancer preventives yet. In the present study, the efficacy of Hypericumperforatum against rat lung cancer has been investigated. Methods, a total of 60 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups. Group 1 rats were given normal saline. Group 2 rats were given nitrosamine 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) with two alternate doses (100mg/kg/bw). Group 3 rats were given NNK+ Hypericumperforatum (300 mg/kg/bw).Group 4 rats were fed with Hypericumperforatum only (300 mg/kg/bw). Results; it was found that the dietary supplementation could able to reduce lung tumor prevalence by 80%. Conclusion, it is suggested that Hypericumperforatum exhibit anticancer activity through its attribution to the actions of inhibiting growth, metastasis and neovascularization.