The therapeutic effects of Physalis alkekengi hydroalcoholic extract on estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer mice model: possible role of autophagy in this therapeutic response

Background and aims: Although some preclinical and clinical studies have extensively confirmed the pharmacological effects of thehydroalcoholic extract (HE) of Physalis alkekengi on several diseases, little is known about the effects of P. alkekengi HE (PAHE) on breastcancer. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of PAHE on estrogen receptor+ breast cancer.Methods: To this end, tumors were created in mice by injecting MC۴L۲ cells into the sternum of the mice. Then, the animals were gavagedfor ۱۶ days at ۱۰, ۵۰, and ۱۰۰ mg/kg daily of PAHE. In addition, the tumor growth and body weight of the mice were measured on the۱۶th day, and they were killed on ۲۱st day. Finally, their tumor tissues were removed and the apoptotic cell tissue and expression of theATG-۵ gene were studied as well. The experiments were repeated three times, and the data were analyzed using SPSS software (P < ۰.۰۰۱and P < ۰.۰۵).Results: The average body weight of the control group significantly decreased ۱۶ days after tumor establishment (P < ۰.۰۰۱). Further, thePAHE inhibited the growth of the breast cancer tumor in higher doses (۵۰ & ۱۰۰ mg/kg, P < ۰.۰۰۱). Based on the results, a significanthistopathological alteration was found in the breast tumors of the PAHE-treated groups compared with the control group, including thedecreased level of mitotic cells the intensive level of necrotic cells and lymphocyte infiltration into the breast tumors bearing mice ۲۱ daysafter PAHE administration (P = ۰.۰۱۲). Eventually, PAHE significantly increased the mRNA level of the expression of the autophagy ATG-۵specific gene in the effective dosage-treated group (۵۰ mg/kg, P = ۰.۰۳۷).Conclusion: The evidence suggests that the PAHE has a suitable efficacy for the treatment of ER+ breast cancer by promoting autophagymechanisms into these tumor types.

Keywords:

Physalis alkekengi , ER+ breast cancer , BALB/c mice , Autophagy , mRNA level expression , ATG-۵ gene