Effect of Vitex agnus Extract on MNU Induced Mammary Tumor of Sprague Dawley Rats

Abstract

INTRODUCTIONBreast cancer is one of the most common cancers with over one million cases reported worldwide. It accounts up to 30% of all the cancers reported in female's worldwide. 1 Regardless of having advanced treatments, the disease continues to have the highest rate of treatment failure due to tumor resistance, both intrinsic and acquired.2 Many treatment strategies have been applied for the best results to ameliorate the cancer, but none has shown any significant results so far. Natural products have long been an important source for the treatment of different types of cancer. More than a thousand plants have been found to possess significant anticancer properties.3 Over 60% of currently used anticancer agents are derived from natural sources. 4 The Vitex agnus castus (VAC) is a shrub found in central Europe and central Asia has brown or black colored pepper like seeds having significant levels of herbal and medicinal properties.5 It is a well-known herb used for the treatment of female reproductive problem, especially pre-menstrual syndrome and certain endocrine related problems. 6 Studies reported that the fruit of this plant contains phenolic compounds like terpenes, flavonoids and aetheric oils, etc.7 Further studies on it showed that ethanolic extract from dried ripe VAC fruits displays cytotoxic activity against six human cell lines from different cancer tissue origins.8 Studies for antioxidant activity in the past have shown that decreased GSH levels are indicator of cell viability along-with increased MDA levels showing marked cell proliferation in tumor tissues whereas decreased levels of the same are indicator improved oxidative status of the tissue. From the recent literature, it is evident that ethanolic fruit extract of the VAC has shown some anticancer effects in, in-vitro studies and there is no recent data suggesting the anticancer property in vivo. Therefore, this study was conducted to elucidate the anticancer effect of the Vitex agnus seed extract along-with its antioxidant activity by estimating GSH and MDA levels on induced mammary tumor of SD rats in an in-vivo study. MATERIALS AND METHODS AnimalsAfter obtaining the permission from the institutional ethical committee, healthy, 30 days old inbred Sprague Dawley female rats of body weight 70-80 grams were taken for this study. Animals were maintained according to prescribed guidelines of a committee for control and supervision of experts on animals (CPCSEA), Govt. Of India, for the use of laboratory animals. All animals were maintained under normal day-night environment in temperature controlled institutional animal house. Animals were housed in polypropylene cages; paddy husk was used for bedding. Animals were given water ad libitum and standard rat feed pellet was used for feeding. Induction of tumor Preparation of the carcinogenMammary tumor was induced by injecting N-Methyl-N-Nitrosourea dissolved in normal saline with pH-4 maintained by adding 3% glacial acetic acid. The SD rats were given a single intraperitoneal dose of Effect o...

Therapeutic Role of Annona muricata Fruit and Bee Venom Against MNU-Induced Breast Cancer in Pregnant Rats and its Complications on the Ovaries

“…Studies have revealed that MNU has an experimental evidence in induction of breast cancer. 42 , 43 It has been confirmed that the histopathological signs and carcinogenic effects caused by MNU are basically attributable to methylation of DNA in the target cells. 43 Ting et al found that MNU can induce cellular hyperplasia in breast tissue via acceleration of mitotic pathways in the epithelial lining of breast alveoli, as well as in ducts and ductules.…”

“…42 , 43 It has been confirmed that the histopathological signs and carcinogenic effects caused by MNU are basically attributable to methylation of DNA in the target cells. 43 Ting et al found that MNU can induce cellular hyperplasia in breast tissue via acceleration of mitotic pathways in the epithelial lining of breast alveoli, as well as in ducts and ductules. 44 Additionally, MNU can cause histopathological alterations in breast tissue through induction of oxidative stress, followed by pronounced decline in serum antioxidants, especially CAT and SOD.…”

Vitex agnus-castus L.: Main Features and Nutraceutical Perspectives

“…Table 2 reports the results of the main animal model studies. Oral administration of V. agnus-castus L. extract (200 mg/kg) in Sprague-Dawley rats with a mammary tumor for 15 days improved the oxidative status of the mammary tumor tissue and treated tumor regression properties [82]. Prevented oxidative stress and treated nonalcoholic fat liver disease.…”