Study of anticancer activity of cecropin B on 7, 12-dimethylbenz (a) anthracene-induced breast cancer

Abstract

Background and aims: Antimicrobial peptides constitute a family of bioactive peptides that are involved in the body defense. Recently, their anti-cancer properties, especially by inducing apoptosis, have been proven in in vitro studies. Therefore, in this study, the effects of cecropin B as an antimicrobial peptide on breast cancer growth, hematological parameters, and histopathological changes in rats were evaluated. Methods: Twenty-four female rats were randomly divided into 4 groups. The cancer group, control group, cecropin B group, and cancer group treated with cecropin B. The tumor size was measured at the beginning and the completion of the treatment period. Blood samples were collected for assessment of the hematological parameters and Bax and Bcl2 levels. Tumor tissues were removed for histopathological analysis. Results: The tumor size had a significant increase in the cancer group and cancer group treated with cecropin at the end of the treatment. A significant decrease in mean cell volume, white blood cell count and Bcl2 level and a significant increase in hemoglobin and Bax levels were observed in the cancer group treated with cecropin B compared to cancer group. Changes in other parameters were not significant. Histopathological study showed the invasion of mitotic cells to stromal and muscular tissues of the breast in the cancer group, while focal destruction of tissue and cell death were observed in the cancer group treated with cecropin B. Conclusion: The results showed that cecropin B has been able to reduce tumor growth and have little side effects on hematologic factors probably through apoptosis.

Physicochemistry, Nutritional, and Therapeutic Potential of Ficus carica – A Promising Nutraceutical

“… 15 , 103 , 104 According to Ghandehari et al, F. latex can reduce the number of mitotic abilities and the extent of apoptosis in breast cancer cells without affecting hematological or histological functions. 105 A study by Purnamasari et al, which evaluated the effects of F. carica leaf and fruit extracts treatment on Huh7it liver cancer cell line, reported that the percentage of apoptotic and necrotic cells increased with increasing concentrations of the extracts. 104 The highlight of the study is summarized in Table 6 .…”

“…A study by Khan et al claimed that F. carica -enriched plant extracts could be used to stimulate and enhance the rate of collagen biosynthesis and recover the hydration level of the dermis. 105 This phenomenon was postulated due to F. carica’s high level of antioxidant properties such as vitamin C, anthocyanins, carotenoids and phenolic compounds. 116…”

The use of medicinal plants for combating breast cancer: A comprehensive review

“…In addition, Zhang et al (2018) reported that FC extract administration decreased the breast cancer marker gene (GATA3) and also had an impact on the expression of exprotooncogene (ELF5). Ghandehari and Fatemi (2018) reported that breast tumor volume and size decreased in rats treated with a latex extract of F. carica. Further, the histological study of fig latextreated rat breast cells showed a reduction in angiogenesis, mitotic features, & necrosis.…”

Natural products in suppressing glioma progression: A focus on the role of microRNAs

“…It has a high content of several bioactive compounds, including phytosterols, amino acids, and fatty acids (Oliveira et al, 2010). Recent studies show that Ficus carica latex (FCL) exerts an inhibitory effect on the growth of various cancer cell lines (Ghandehari & Fatemi, 2018; Hashemi et al, 2011; Khodarahmi, Ghasemi, Hassanzadeh, & Safaie, 2011). Tezcan et al (2015) reported that FCL is a potential antitumor agent and inhibits tumor growth via regulation of miR‐let‐7d and reduces invasion in T98G, U138 MG, and U87MG cell lines.…”