Fereshteh Ezzatighadi

ABSTRACT The present study attempted to explore the evaluation role of Neem leaf extract on Mitotic Catastrophe in DMHinduced colon carcinogenesis. Rats were segregated into four groups viz., normal control, DMH treated, Neem (Azadirachta indica) treated, DMH+ Azadirachta indica treated. Colon carcinogenesis was induced by weekly subcutaneous injections of DMH [30mg/Kg body weight] for two time durations of 10 weeks and 20 weeks. Azadirachta indica in the form of aqueous Azadirchta Indica leaf extract (AAILE) was administered orally at a dose rate of 100 mg /Kg/Body weight on alternate days three times a week for the entire duration of the study. DHM treatment resulted in a significant increase in the formation of micro nuclei (mitotic catastrophe) in the colons of DMH treated rats at both the time intervals. However, supplementation with Azadirachta indica significantly reduced the formation of micro nuclei in the DMH treated rats. Further, histological alterations were also observed following DMH treatment which however was appreciably prevented upon co-administration with Azadirachta indica. The study, therefore, concludes that Azadirachta indica proves as a useful agent in modulating DMH induced genotoxicity in rats.