Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Cancers induced by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection remain a significant public health threat,
fueling the study of new therapies. Laurel (Laurus nobilis) compounds and extracts recently showed
in vitro activity against HPV-transformed cell lines. This work aims to evaluate the in vivo efficacy and
hepatic toxicity of a laurel extract in a transgenic mouse model of HPV16-induced cancer. The extract was
administered in drinking water (20 mg per animal per day) for three consecutive weeks, using four experimental
groups (n = 10) (group I: HPV16−/− without treatment, group II: treated HPV16−/−, group III: HPV16+/−
without treatment and group IV: treated HPV16+/−). Following the treatment period, animals were sacrificed
and skin samples were used to classify skin lesions histologically. Toxicological parameters included hematological
and biochemical blood markers, splenic and hepatic histology and hepatic oxidative stress. The
extract did not prevent the progression of HPV16-induced cutaneous lesions in this model. The treated wildtype
animals showed mild hepatitis, while transgenic animals suffered weight loss. However, there were no
changes concerning hematological, biochemical and hepatic oxidative stress markers.
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Pedagogical Context
Citation
Medeiros-Fonseca, B.; Mestre, V. F.; Colaço, B.; Pires, M.J.; Martins, T.; Costa, R.M. Gil; Neuparth, M.J.; Medeiros, R.; Moutinho, Magda S.S.; Dias, Maria Inês; Barros, Lillian; Bastos, M.M.S.M.; Félix, L.; Venâncio, C.; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.; Antunes, L.M.; Oliveira, P.A. (2018). Laurus nobilis (laurel) aqueous leaf extract's toxicological and anti-tumor activities in HPV16-transgenic mice. Food and Function. ISSN 2042-6496. 9, p. 4419-4428