Angelica sinensis root (ASR) extract was obtained to investigate its effects on colorectal carcinogenesis in different stages of an Azoxymethane/Dextran sodium sulphate (AOM/DSS) model. In this study, we showed that ASR extract administration in the initial stage of the AOM/DSS model had cancer preventive effects with decreasing tumor incidence and a high-grade of intraepithelial neoplasia incidence. With respect to DNA damage, the amounts of 8-oxoguanine and γ-H2AX were suppressed in colon tissue. The balance of apoptosis and proliferation was approaching the normal state. In contrast, ASR extract administration in the promotion stage of the AOM/DSS model accelerated the progression of carcinogenesis. The maximum tumor size reached 49.85 ± 25.04 mm³. High-grade pathological changes were significantly increased. Decreased DNA damage and P53 level reflected the disrupted reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentration in colorectal tissue, which led to an imbalance of proliferative and apoptotic relationships. These findings suggested that the cancer-preventive effect of ASR extract may be stage-dependent in the process of carcinogenesis.
Keywords: Angelica sinensis; P53; antioxidant; cancer prevention.