Preclinical effects of melatonin on the development of Ehrlich's tumor: a biochemical, cognitive, and molecular approach

Abstract

It has already been shown that the melatonin is an antitumoral molecule that affects malignant cells via some mechanisms. The benefits played by this hormone on cancer apparently is due to its antioxidant effects. This study aimed to evaluate the preclinical effects of melatonin on the Ehrlich ascites tumor. Twenty Balb/ c male mice with Ehrlich tumor were treated with different melatonin doses. Their inflammatory and oxidative stress were accessed by gene expression. Hepatotoxicity and hematological parameters were also evaluated through biochemical analyzes. Animal welfare was analyzed weekly from the categories guided by the NC3Rs. All groups treated with melatonin showed decreased SOD expression compared to the control; TNF-α expression, however, was higher in M-3 group. In the hepatic and hematological analyzes, the use of melatonin did not present significant changes in its results, that is, no hepatotoxicity could be identified. Melatonin played an important role in maintaining the parameters evaluated when referring to the well-being of the treated groups when compared to the control group. In the cognitive evaluation, the group that was treated with melatonin at the dosage of 3mg, presented better performance when compared to the others.