Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p> <bold>Background:</bold> Researchers revealed that herbal sources can be useful for the successful management of colorectal cancer (CRC). In Ethiopian folk medicine, the latex of <italic>Euphorbia abyssinica</italic> has been used for the treatment of hemorrhoid and various forms of cancers, including CRC. <bold>Objective</bold> : This study aimed to evaluates the chemopreventive effect of the latex extract of <italic>Euphorbia abyssinica J.F. Gmel</italic> against Dimethylhydrazine-induced colorectal carcinogenesis in rats. <bold>Methods:</bold> An experimental study design was employed toevaluate the chemopreventive effect of the 80% methanolic latex extract of <italic>Euphorbia abyssinica</italic> . Plant material was collected from “ <italic>Bishoftu</italic> ” in the Oromia regional state and then the latex was extracted using 80% methanol and dry in a shaded place. Later, an acute toxicity study was evaluated according to OECD 425 guideline. After dose selection: histological assay, percent weight increment, growth rate, average tumor number, tumor size, progression and incidence as well as biochemical markers such as total protein, total cholesterol, and triglyceride parameters were determined in male rats as <bold/> pre-initiation and post-initiation phases in 25 weeks of study. <bold>Results:</bold> The extract demonstrated a high safety profile with an LD50 above 2000 mg/kg. Treatment with the extract significantly mitigated DMH-induced cachexia, with the highest dose (400 mg/kg) resulting in a mean weight increment of 24.67 g, compared to 13.67 g in the DMH control group. Tumor analysis revealed a substantial reduction in tumor incidence, with the DMH group showing 28 tumors (100% incidence) compared to only 3 tumors (33.3% incidence) in the highest dose pre-initiation group ( <italic>P < 0.001)</italic> . Biochemical assessments indicated that the extract significantly restored total protein levels (7.0 g/dL) and reduced total cholesterol (61.3 mg/dL) and triglyceride levels (61.7 mg/dL) compared to the DMH control group ( <italic>P < 0.001</italic> ). <bold>Conclusion and recommendation:</bold> These findings revealed that <italic>E. abyssinica</italic> possesses significant chemopreventive properties, potentially due to its rich phytochemical profile. The results support its use as a complementary therapeutic agent in CRCmanagement and warrant further investigation into its active compounds and mechanisms. </p>