Anticancer Activity of Ethyl Acetate Fraction and Ethanol Leaf Extract of Olax subscorpioidea against DMBA-Induced Female Rats

Abstract

Oxidative stress can cause cell damage, trigger inflammation, and contribute to the development of cancer. 6 There is evidence suggesting that exposure to environmental pollutants, such as PAHs, can potentially elevate the risk of breast cancer. This is thought to occur through mechanisms involving oxidative stress and the activation of oestrogen receptors. 7 7, 12-Dimethylbenz(α)anthracene (DMBA), a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, is commonly employed to induce breast cancer in rats. The DNA is damaged by DMBA-3,4-diol-1,2epoxide through the addition of adenine and guanine residues because of liver and breast tissue metabolism. 8 Breast cancer can be treated through various methods, such as targeted therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and hormone therapy. These medicines come with challenges such as resistance, recurrence, high cost, toxicity, and adverse effects. It is crucial to identify alternative or complementary therapies that offer improved efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness. 9 Medicinal plant alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolics, and saponins exhibit a variety of biological effects. Some examples are anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory. 10 There is a significant body of research supporting the preventive effects of medicinal herbs and their derivatives on breast cancer. 11 A recent study highlights the significant impact of curcumin, a phenolic component of turmeric (Curcuma longa), on inhibiting breast cancer cell invasion, metastasis, and proliferation. It achieves this by modulating key signalling pathways such as NF-κB, PI3K/Akt, MAPK, and nt/β-catenin. 12 Vinblastine and vincristine are alkaloids found from the Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus). They disrupt the movement of microtubules, which stops cells from growing and killing themselves. These properties make them highly effective chemotherapies for breast cancer. 13 There are several Nigerian medicinal plants that have been found to treat various diseases,