Fraction from Calliandra portoricensis reduces ۷, ۱۲ dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced mammary tumors in Wistar rats

Objective: Calliandra portoricensis (CP) is used in Nigeria for the treatment of breast diseases. We investigated the effects of fraction from CP on ۷,۱۲-dimethylbenz-[a] anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary gland tumours. Materials and Methods: Female Wistar rats (۴۰) were allotted into five equal groups. Group ۱ served as control, group ۲ received DMBA (۵۰mg/kg), groups ۳ and ۴ received DMBA and were treated with CP at doses of ۵۰ and ۱۰۰ mg/kg respectively, while the fifth group received DMBA and vincristine (۰.۵mg/kg). The DMBA was injected intraperitoneally once while vincristine and CP were given twice and thrice per week, respectively. Results: Administration of DMBA caused a significant decrease in body weight gain by ۵۲%. In addition, DMBA significantly increased organo-somatic weight of mammary gland by ۴.۰ folds. Moreso, DMBA significantly increased inflammatory and oxidative stress markers; serum interleukin-۱β (IL-۱β), lipid peroxidation (LPO) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) by ۲۷%, ۱۸% and ۴۳۵%, respectively. Similarly, mammary NO (nitric oxide) and LPO were increased by ۴۶۸% and ۲۱%, respectively. In contrast, DMBA decreased the levels of apoptotic markers; BAX, caspases-۳ and -۹ by ۲۰%, ۱۵% and ۱۸%, and mammary superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione-s-peroxidase (GPx) by ۴۵%, ۵۱% and ۶۸%, respectively. Histology revealed gland with malignant epithelial cells and high nucleo-cytoplasm in DMBA-administered rats. Treatment with CP at ۱۰۰ mg/kg decreased LPO, MPO, IL-۱β and NO by ۲۸%, ۳۵%; ۷۸% and ۸۵%, respectively, and ameliorated DMBA-induced cyto-architectural anomalies. Conclusion: Fraction of CP protects mammary gland from DMBA insults via antioxidative and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.

Keywords:

Apoptosis , Calliandra portoricensis , Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene , Mammary gland