Antineoplastic Effects of <i>Citrullus lanatus</i> and <i>Apocynum cannabinum</i> Combination on Bisphenol A-Induced Colon Histomorphology in Wistar Rats

Background and Aim: Cancer is a global phenomenon, and according to the World Health Organization, it is considered one of the leading causes for various deaths all over the world. Aim: This study investigated the antineoplastic properties of Citrullus lanatus when used in combination with Apocynum cannabinum on Bisphenol A-induced colon histomorphology in adult Wistar Rats. Methodology: Six groups of animals with four rats in each were used. All animals have equal access to laboratory rat chow and water ad libitum. Group I is the Negative Control. Group II (Positive Control) received 25ml/kg Bisphenol A (BPA). Group III received 25ml/kg BPA, and 1.4ml/kg of Citrullus lanatus extract. Group IV received 25ml/kg BPA, and 2.3ml/kg of Citrullus lanatus extract. Group V received 25ml/kg BPA, and 3.2ml/kg of Citrullus lanatus extract. Group VI received 25ml/kg BPA, 2.3ml/kg of Citrullus lanatus extract, and 8ml/kg of Apocynum cannabinum leaf extract. Results: Group I showed normal Lamina propria, Crypt of Lieberkühn, Submucosa, and Muscularis mucosae.  Group II showed features of dysplasia, invasion, metastasis, and mitotic figures. Group III was observed to have mild healing with gradual return of regular arrangement of cells, with uniform nuclei and cytoplasm. Group IV had improvement in healing characterized by glandular structures returning to normal cells and a reduced rate of proliferation. Group V saw a gradual return of the various normal layers of the colon. Group VI showed little or no observable difference from Group IV-V. Conclusion: The reparative changes in the colon are associated with the anticancer property of lycopene in the watermelon. The Apocynum cannabinum has no observable reparative effect on the colon histomorphology.