Antitumor activity of withaferin-A and propolis in benz (a) pyrene-induced breast cancer

Abstract

Female breast cancer is the leading malignancy surpassing lung cancer recently, and its incidence is continued to rise in many countries. The existing anticancer drugs have limitations like drug resistance and adverse effects leading to poor clinical outcomes. The natural compounds withaferin-A and propolis have been individually reported for their anticancer activity in preclinical models. However, the combined effect of these compounds has not been studied especially in breast cancer models. Therefore, it is of interest to evaluate the effect of Withaferin-A and propolis on Benz(a)pyrene-induced breast cancer. Wistar rats of female gender were treated with saline (normal control), Benz(a)pyrene (disease control), Benz(a)pyrene+ Withaferin-A or Propolis, Benz(a)pyrene+ Withaferin-A+ Propolis. At the end of the treatment, the plasma levels of carcino embryonic antigen (CEA) were measured. We observed a decrease in carcino embryonic antigen (CEA) levels in rats received withaferin-A and propolis combination rather than individual compounds indicating their beneficial role in breast cancer. Results of the present study show that propolis, when combined with withaferin A, exhibits better anti tumor activity than its individual effect in Benz (a) pyrene-induced mammary carcinogenesis.