Flax oil could be explored for its therapeutic potential in cervical cancer. - GreenMedInfo Summary

Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women in India. Previously, we have reported that alpha linolenic acid (ALA), induced apoptosis in cervical cancer cell lines and reduced expression of E6 and E7 oncoproteins with simultaneous decrease in Cox2/VEGF/MAP kinase proteins. Here, we investigated the tumor retardation potential of flax oil (FO), rich in ALA, in mouse papilloma model. Flax oil significantly reduced tumor volume and weight in mice compared to the Tumor control (TC) group. Interestingly, compared to cisplatin (Cis) alone, there was slightly enhanced decrease in tumor weight when FO was given together with Cis (Cis + FO). A significant increase in plasma antioxidant levels in mice; and increase in lipid peroxidation in tumor with simultaneous decrease in liver tissues was observed in Cis + FO group compared to either TC or Cis groups. FO and Cis + FO significantly modulated immune response in miceby increasing CD8α and IFNγ and decrease in IL-4 expression. Interestingly, when given together with cisplatin, flax oil significantly reduced HPV E6 and E7 oncoprotein expression with concomitant increase in the relative mRNA expression of tumor suppressor genes p53 and Rb. Thus, flax oil couldbe explored for its therapeutic potential in cervical cancer.