Graviola attenuates DMBA-induced breast cancer possibly through augmenting apoptosis and antioxidant pathway and downregulating estrogen receptors

Preventive effect of acemannan on DMBA-induced mouse skin tumorigenesis by modulating inflammatory cytokines and apoptosis pathways: molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulation approaches

Skin cancers, such as melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers, are increasingly prevalent due to environmental and lifestyle factors. Melanoma arises from the aberrant proliferation of melanocytes and is significantly influenced by UV radiation-induced oxidative stress. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of acemannan against 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-evoked skin cancer in mice. Mice were randomly divided (n = 6): a control (group I), DMBA-induced cancer (group II), and two treatment groups (group III & IV) that received acemannan at doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg orally, respectively. After completion of the 14-week treatment protocol, various parameters, including body weight, tumor burden, oxidative stress markers (MDA, ROS), antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GSH), inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, TGF-β1), p65 subunit of NF-κB signaling, and apoptosis (caspase-3, caspase 9, Bax and Blc2) were assessed. Histopathological examination, molecular docking, and dynamics simulations were also performed. The results demonstrated that acemannan significantly reduced tumor burden, number, and volume in DMBA-treated mice. Acemannan exhibited protective effects by modulating oxidative stress, enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities, suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines, inhibiting NF-κB signaling, and inducing apoptosis. Molecular docking analysis indicated that acemannan exhibited strong binding affinities to key inflammatory proteins: NFkB, Caspase 3, Caspase 9, TNF-Alpha, BCl2, and BAX, with calculated binding energies of -5.124, -6.631, -5.054, -6.224, -4.33, and -4.425 kcal/mol, respectively. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulations provided evidence for substantial conformational changes induced by acemannan binding to these proteins. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that acemannan may be a promising therapeutic agent for skin cancer prevention due to its ability to regulate oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis.

Tiron enhances the anti-cancer activity of doxorubicin in DMBA-induced breast cancer: Role of Notch signaling/apoptosis/autophagy/oxidative stress

Existing work intended to investigate the outcomes of the localized mitochondrial antioxidant tiron (TR) alone or in combination with doxorubicin (DOX) in 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary carcinogenesis in rats and the mechanistic pathways behind these effects. Also, to examine the preventive role of TR against DOX-related cardiotoxicity. 64 female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into 8 groups: CTRL, DOX, TR, DMBA, DMBA + DOX, DMBA + TR100, DMBA + TR200, and DMBA + DOX + TR200. Rats received TR (100 and 200 mg/kg), DOX (2mg/kg), and DMBA (7.5 mg/kg) for four consecutive weeks. TR alone or combined with DOX not only inhibited oxidative status-related parameters and Notch pathway proteins but also attenuated proliferation markers, and enhanced apoptosis, and autophagy-related genes. Consistently, the histopathological analysis showed better scores in mammary tissues isolated from groups treated with TR only or combined with DOX. Additionally, TR dramatically decreased relative heart weight, myocardial injury biomarkers, and heart oxidative stress parameters while maintaining the myocardial histological integrity. Here we provided evidence that TR acts via modulating Notch signaling/apoptosis/autophagy/oxidative stress to elicit anti-tumor activity and combination with DOX revealed a higher efficacy as a novel anticancer strategy. Moreover, TR could be a potential cardio-protective candidate during DOX-chemotherapy, possibly via its antioxidant activity.

Comprehensive Chemical Profiling and Mechanistic Insight into Anticancer Activity of Annona muricata Leaves Extract

The aqueous extract of Annona muricata L. leaves was thoroughly analyzed using the UPLC-MS/MS, in addition to a new approach of examination of the extract's impact on cancer of EAC(Ehrlich ascites carcinoma) in albino male mice. The aim was to investigate the diversity of the phytochemical constituents of the aqueous leaf capsule extract and their impacts on EAC as anticancer agents. The UPLC-ESI-MS/MS screening resulted in 410 tentatively identified metabolites. Among them, 384 compounds were tentatively identified in a previous study, besides a number of 26 compounds belonging to acetogenins, phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids, and other miscellaneous compounds, which were exclusively identified in the aqueous extract of the leaf capsule. Interestingly, a new compound was tentatively characterized as galloyl-quinic acid-rutinoside. This study also demonstrated that treating EAC mice with an extract from A. muricata leaves significantly improved the abnormalities in the expression of pro-apoptotic (Bax and caspase-3) and anti-apoptotic (Bcl-2) genes. Furthermore, the extract showed good protection against induced Ehrlich hepatocarcinoma, according to the microscopical, histological, and immune-histochemical analyses of the liver tissues and tumor mass.

Chemopreventive potential of hydroethanolic Murraya koenigii leaves extract against DMBA induced breast carcinogenesis: In-silico and in-vivo study

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Murraya koenigii (MK), a member of the Rutaceae family and widely known as the curry-leaf tree, is indigenous to India, Sri Lanka, and other south Asian nations. It is a renowned medicinal herb because of the wide range of bioactive components found in its leaves, such as girinimbine, koenimbine, mahanimbine and mahanine among others. All these bioactive components make this plant beneficial for treating a variety of ailments and diseases. Biological and pharmacological activities of MK include anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, anti-ulcer, anti-helminthic, anti-malarial, anti-trichomonal, hepatoprotective, anti-diabetic, etc. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study aimed to evaluate the possible protective effect of hydroethanolic Murraya koenigii leaves extract (HEMKLE) against 7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced breast cancer in rats, which further paves the way for future breast cancer treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

For the preparation of hydroethanolic Murraya koenigii leaves extract (HEMKLE), Murraya koenigii (MK) leaves were taken from the botanical garden of the Panjab University campus, Chandigarh, and authenticated from the Department of Botany, Panjab University (accession number 22417). The phytochemical characterization of HEMKLE was performed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Following this, an in-silico molecular docking analysis was performed using Maestro Schrodinger software, and an in-vivo study was conducted. For the in-vivo study, female SD rats were divided into four different groups. Group I (C), Group II (DMBA), Group III (HEMKLE), and Group IV (HEMKLE + DMBA). Histopathogy, oxidative and antioxidant status, immunohistochemistry of estrogen receptor-α, TUNEL assays, mRNA and protein expression of apoptotic pathway genes were conducted in in-vivo study.

RESULTS

In LC-MS, major phytochemical constituents including flavonoids and carbazole alkaloids were identified. In-silico docking study revealed the strong binding affinity between the identified compounds with caspase-3. Additionally, koenine displayed the highest binding affinity/minimum energy of -9.21 kcal/mol with 6BDV as compared to other phytochemicals. Furthermore, in-vivo experimentation revealed that HEMKLE administration in Group IV(HEMKLE + DMBA) significantly inhibits the tumor incidence and volume as compared to alone DMBA treated group. The antioxidant action of HEMKLE was proven from the in-vivo analysis of antioxidant marker enzymes, histopathology, immunohistochemistry of ER-α studies. Further, increase number of TUNEL positive cells was observed in co-treated animals as compared to alone DMBA treated animals. In Group IV (HEMKLE + DMBA), upregulated expression of pro-apoptotic genes and downregulated expression of anti-apoptotic gene were observed when compared to Group II(DMBA) suggested the apoptotic effect of HEMKLE.

CONCLUSION

The results of the present study provide clear evidence of the chemopreventive capabilities of HEMKLE in rats with DMBA-induced breast cancer. The observed outcomes could potentially be attributed to the existence of diverse phytochemicals within the HEMKLE.

Fullerene C60 protects against 7,12-dimethylbenz [a] anthracene (DMBA) induced-pancreatic damage via NF-κB and Nrf-2/HO-1 axis in rats

The objective of this investigation was to investigate the protective effects of fullerene C60 nanoparticle against pancreatic damage experimentally induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz [a] anthracene (DMBA) in female rats. Fullerene C60 nanoparticle was administered to rats 5 times a week by oral gavage (o.g) at 1.7 mg/kg bw 7 days after DMBA administration. 60 Wistar albino female rats divided to four groups; Groups: (1) Control group: Fed with standard diet; (2) Fullerene C60 group: Fullerene C60 (1.7 mg/kg bw); (3) DMBA group: DMBA (45 mg/kg bw); (4) Fullerene C60 + DMBA group: Fullerene C60 (1.7 mg/kg bw) and DMBA (45 mg/kg bw). Lipid peroxidation malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase activity (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) levels in pancreatic tissue were determined by spectrophotometer. Protein expression levels of p53, HO-1, p38-α (MAPK), Nrf-2, NF-κB and COX-2 in pancreatic tissue were determined by western blotting technique. In our findings, compared to the group given DMBA, MDA levels and p38-α, NF-κB and COX-2 levels decreased, CAT activity, GSH level, total protein density and p53, HO-1, Nrf-2 levels in the groups given fullerene C60 nanoparticle an increase in expression levels was observed. Our results showed that fullerene C60 nanoparticle may be more beneficial in preventing pancreatic damage.

LCMS/MS Phytochemical Profiling, Molecular, Pathological, and Immune-Histochemical Studies on the Anticancer Properties of Annona muricata

Annona muricate is a tropical plant that is well-known for its edible fruit of therapeutic interest. LCMS/MS analyses were applied to identify phytoconstituents of the ethanolic extract of the whole fruits and the aqueous extract of the edible fruit part, in addition to the investigation of their anticancer properties against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) in male albino mice. LCMS/MS analyses resulted in the identification of 388 components, representing a wide array of classes of compounds, including acetogenins as the major constituents, alkaloids, flavonoids, and phenolics. Among them, four compounds were tentatively characterized as new compounds (1-4), including an acid derivative, protocatechuic-coumaroyl-quinic acid (1), and three flavonoid derivatives, dihydromyricetin galloyl hexoside (2), apigenin gallate (3), and dihydromyricetin hexouronic acid hexoside (4). Induction with EAC cells resulted in abnormalities in the gene expression of pro-apoptotic genes (Bax and caspase-3) and anti-apoptotic gene (Bcl-2) in the tumor mass. Moreover, microscopic, histopathological, and immune-histochemical examinations of the tumor mass and liver tissues exhibited extensive growth of malignant Ehrlich carcinoma cells and marked hydropic degeneration of hepatocytes and infiltration by tumor cells to liver tissue with marked inflammatory reaction. These abnormalities were markedly ameliorated aftertreatment of EAC mice with A. muricata extracts.

Comparative anticancer effects of Annona muricata Linn (Annonaceae) leaves and fruits on DMBA-induced breast cancer in female rats

BACKGROUND

Numerous studies have reported the anti-cancer effects of different parts of Annona muricata Linn, however ; most of them focused on the in vitro evaluation of isolates. In vivo evidence on which part is best suited for breast cancer chemoprevention remains to be demonstrated. This is a comparative study of the effects of A. muricata fruit and leaves extracts on DMBA induced-breast cancer in rats.

METHODS

Rats exposed to DMBA (50 mg/kg, s.c.), were treated with A. muricata fruit aqueous extract at 200 mg/kg BW (3 days/week or daily) and A. muricata Linn leaves ethanolic extract at 200 mg/kg daily. Positive control group received tamoxifen at 3.3 mg/kg, while the normal and diseased controls received vehicle. After 20 weeks of treatment, the tumor incidence, tumor burden, tumor volume, histopathology, protein and CA 15 - 3 levels as well as antioxidant status, pro-inflammatory cytokines were assessed.

RESULTS

Thus, 100% of diseased rats presented cribriform ductal carcinoma of SBR grade III. A. muricata extracts (leaves and fruit) and tamoxifen significantly reduced death and tumor incidences, volume and weight of the tumors, total protein and CA15-3 levels compared to the DMBA group. They exhibited antioxidant activity, through an increase in the GSH level and SOD and catalase activities with reduced levels of MDA compared to DMBA group. TNF-α, IL-6 and INF-γ levels reduced with regards to A. muricata treatment.

CONCLUSION

These results confirm the anti-breast cancer effect of A. muricata, however, the aqueous fruit extract was more potent than the ethanolic leaves extract.

Gold nanoparticles combined baker's yeast as a successful approach for breast cancer treatment

BACKGROUND

Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae) has been demonstrated in vitro to sensitize several breast cancer cell lines and to be a safe, non-toxic drug with anti-skin cancer action in mice. Furthermore, plasmonic photothermal treatment using gold nanorods has been authorized as a novel method for in vitro and in vivo cancer therapy.

RESULTS

When compared to tumor-free rats, the treatment with S. cerevisiae conjugated to gold nanospheres (GNSs) lowered Bcl-2 levels while increasing FasL, Bax, cytochrome c, and caspases 8, 9, and 3 levels. Histopathological results showed changes reflecting the ability of nanogold conjugated heat-killed yeast to induce apoptosis is greater than heat-killed yeast alone as the nanogold conjugated with heat-killed yeast showed no tumor, no hyperplasia, no granulation tissue formation, no ulceration, and no suppuration. Nanogold conjugated with heat-killed yeast-treated breast cancer group displayed normal levels of ALT and AST, indicating relatively healthy hepatic cells.

CONCLUSION

Our results proved that nanogold conjugated heat-killed yeast can initiate apoptosis and can be used as a safe non-invasive method for breast cancer treatment more effectively than the yeast alone. This, in turn, gives us new insight and a future hope for the first time that breast cancer can be treated by non-invasive, simple, safe, and naturally originated method and achieves a hopeful treatment and a novel method for in vivo cancer therapy.

The Antioxidant Potential of Graviola and Its Potential Medicinal Application

Graviola (Annunona muricata L.), a plant growing in tropical regions, has many names and a range of ethnomedicinal uses. The leaves are used to treat insomnia, diabetes, cystitis, and headaches, the crushed seeds have anthelmintic properties, and the fruits are used in the preparation of ice creams, candy, syrups, shakes, and other beverages. The key active components are believed to be annonaceous acetogenins, with more than 100 such compounds having been isolated from A. muricata. The plant is also a source of a range of phenolic compounds, essential oils, alkaloids, flavonol triglycosides, and megastigmanes, together with various minerals, including Mg, Fe, Cu, K, and Ca. Its key phenolic compounds are rutin, kaempferol, and quercetin. This paper provides an overview of the current state of knowledge about the antioxidant properties of various graviola organs and their major constituents, based on a review of various electronic databases. However, few findings have been obtained from clinical trials, and few in vitro and animal studies suggest that graviola preparations have antioxidant properties; as such, the antioxidant potential of graviola, and its safety, remain unclear.

Natural biomolecules and derivatives as anticancer immunomodulatory agents

Despite advancements in chemotherapy, the issue of resistance and non-responsiveness to many chemotherapeutic drugs that are currently in clinical use still remains. Recently, cancer immunotherapy has gathered attention as a novel treatment against select cancers. Immunomodulation is also emerging as an effective strategy to improve efficacy. Natural phytochemicals, with known anticancer properties, been reported to mediate their effects by modulating both traditional cancer pathways and immunity. The mechanism of phytochemical mediated-immunomodulatory activity may be attributed to the remodeling of the tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment and the sensitization of the immune system. This allows for improved recognition and targeting of cancer cells by the immune system and synergy with chemotherapeutics. In this review, we will discuss several well-known plant-derived biomolecules and examine their potential as immunomodulators, and therefore, as novel immunotherapies for cancer treatment.

New fluorobenzamidine exerts antitumor activity against breast cancer in mice via pro-apoptotic activity

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related morbidities. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of bithiophene-fluorobenzamidine (BFB) against breast cancer induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) in female Swiss mice and reveal the underlining mechanisms.

METHODS

The mice were randomly divided into five groups; control, BFB-treated group, DMBA-treated group, and the last two groups received DMBA then tamoxifen or BFB.

RESULTS

BFB reduced the tumor incidence by ~ 88% versus 30% after TAM. DMBA significantly increased the expression of CDK1 and HER2 and reduced the expression of p53, p21 (CDKN1A), ESR-α, and CAS3. BFB caused significant down-regulation of CDK1 and HER2 and upregulation of p53, p21, ESR-α, and CAS3. In the DMBA-treated mice, cancerous cells metastasized to several organs. This was prevented by the administration of BFB. The antimetastatic and proapoptotic activities were confirmed in MCF7 cells in vitro by the wound healing and annexin V assays, respectively. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the BFB increased survival. In the DMBA group, tumors showed invasive carcinoma of grade III with central necrosis, polymorphism, mitotic activity, and numerous newly formed ductules, and colloidal mucinous secretions within adenoid cysts. BFB administration restored the normal structure of the mammary glands.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, BFB has antitumor, pro-apoptotic, and anti-metastatic activities against breast cancer in mice and therefore, it merits further investigations.

Rutin Suppresses DMBA Carcinogenesis in the Breast Through Modulating IL-6/NF-κB, SRC1/HSP90 and ER-α

Rutin dietary supplements may offer pharmacological benefits as anticancer and antiinflammatory properties. This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory and protective effect of rutin on signaling pathways of mammary gland carcinogenesis expermintally induced in female rats by 7,12-di-methyl benz (a) anthracene (DMBA). Results showed that rutin administration ameliorated DMBA toxicity and carcinogic effect on kidney and liver revealed by a significant decrease of urea and creatinine levels, and the activity of the liver enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The antioxidant state indicated by the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was significantly increased accompanied by a reduction in the inflammatory markers of interleukin-1β (IL-1B), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) with induction of apoptosis indicated by a significant increase in caspase-3 level. Rutin significantly reduced the levels of the tumor markers carcinoma antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3) and proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase Src1 (Src1). along with downregulation of nuclear factor-kB (NF-κB), heat shock protein 90 (HSP 90), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene expression. The present study demonstrated the beneficial anticancer activity of rutin as a protective and therapeutic agent. Rutin induces its antitumor activity through elevation of the antioxidant state, inhibition of inflammatory cytokines, downregulation of oncogenes expression, and stimulation of apoptosis.

Transpapillary iontophoretic delivery of resveratrol loaded transfersomes for localized delivery to breast cancer

Localized drug delivery to the breast tissues is an area of interest as a potential route to ensure site-specific drug delivery. Transpapillary delivery via the mammary papilla has advantages as most breast tumors arise from the milk ducts. The present study explored the plausibility of transpapillary delivery of a phytochemical, resveratrol (RVT), for breast cancer treatment. RVT was encapsulated within the transfersomes (RVT-TRF) to enable a sustained release of the drug using the biomaterial soya phosphatidylcholine (SPC). Iontophoresis was applied to further accelerate the penetration of the RVT-TRF across the mammary papilla to the breast tissue. The RVT-TRF development was optimized by the Design of Experiments (DoE) approach. The in vitro transpapillary iontophoresis study on porcine mammary papilla showed an enhanced penetration of RVT-TRF when compared to passive diffusion. The transpapillary delivery was further confirmed from the in vitro fluorescent microscopy study using FITC conjugated RVT-TRF. The optimized RVT-TRF delivered via transpapillary route showed a higher Cmax and AUC when compared to pure RVT given orally. A significant reduction in the tumor volume and the serum biomarker CA 15-3, when evaluated in a chemically induced breast cancer rat model, provided evidence of the effectiveness of the developed formulation when delivered locally via transpapillary route compared to the oral route. Thus the developed RVT-TRF administered via transpapillary iontophoresis technique is a promising strategy enabling a localized delivery for effective breast cancer therapy.

Antioxidant and Anticarcinogenic Potentials of Propolis for Dimethylhydrazine-Induced Colorectal Cancer in Wistar Rats

Propolis is a natural compound with anticarcinogenic properties. The present study aimed to compare the inhibitory effect of ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) and vitamin E on dimethylhydrazine-induced colon lesions in rats. In this study, 60 rats were randomly categorized into six 10-member groups. After 13 weeks, blood and colon tissue were sampled to examine some factors. The parameters included red (RBC) and white (WBC) blood cell profile, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), C-reactive protein (CRP), total protein (TP), creatine kinase (CPK), and albumin, as well as the extent of colon histological lesions, protein expression (adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)), and oxidative stress markers (total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD)) in colon tissue. A significant decrease was observed in congestion, mitotic index, inflammation, and cell destruction in colon tissue in dimethylhydrazine group in comparison with the control group (P < 0.05). The EEP exposed rats exhibited a significant lower oxidative stress than the DMH group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the extract significantly affected TAC level (P < 0.05). While the expression level of APC rose substantially in the EEP-treated group compared to the DMH group, the level of PCNA, CEA, and PDGF proteins significantly reduced. It seems that the EEP can efficiently prevent DMH-induced colonic lesions. Furthermore, its effectiveness is more than the vitamin E, which is a strong antioxidant.

N-(benzylidene)-2-((2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)diazenyl)benzohydrazides (1-2) (NCHDH and NTHDH) attenuate DMBA-induced breast cancer via Nrf2/NF-κB/apoptosis signaling

The present study investigated the effect of the N-(benzylidene)-2-((2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)diazenyl)benzohydrazides (1-2) (NCHDH and NTHDH) against breast cancer using in vitro and in vivo approaches. The NCHDH and NTHDH significantly inhibited the growth of the MCF-7 cells using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The NCHDH and NTHDH treatment significantly inhibited the tumor size, tumor weight, and tumor volume, while it enhanced the survival and tumor free survival rate following 7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced breast cancer. The NCHDH and NTHDH markedly attenuated the oxidative stress markers and induced the antioxidant level. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed significant reduction in the inflammatory cytokines production compared with the DMBA control. The NCHDH and NTHDH treatment significantly improved the histological features using hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) staining, Masson's trichrome, PAS (periodic acid Schiff), and Toluidine blue staining compared with the DMBA-induced group. The NCHDH and NTHDH treatment improved the hematological and serological parameters following DMBA-induced breast tumor compared with DMBA-induced group. Furthermore, the NCHDH and NTHDH treatment significantly enhanced the antioxidants signaling proteins such as nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and Heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1). The NCHDH and NTHDH enhanced the inhibitor of NF-κB (IκB) level, while it attenuated the NF-κB level. Similarly, the NCHDH and NTHDH showed marked increase in the apoptosis proteins such as Caspase-3, Caspase-9, and Bcl-2 Associated X-protein (Bax), while it inhibited the B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) expression. In conclusion, the NCHDH and NTHDH significantly improved the DMBA-induced breast cancer via attenuating oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines.

Evaluating the therapeutic potential of white button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) against DMBA-induced breast cancer in Sprague Dawley rats

The current research work was designed to investigate the protective effects of white button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) against 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced breast cancer. Breast cancer was induced in rats by the administration of a single dose of 50 mg/kg DMBA via gavage. The rats were divided into four groups: G1 (negative control group), G2 (positive control group), G3 (rats receiving mushroom extract), and G4 (rats administered with doxorubicin). The mushroom extract significantly (p < .001) improved the activity of antioxidant enzymes in carcinogenic rats. Moreover, the mushroom extract also prevented the increase in the concentration of tumor biomarkers that are CEA, CA 15.3, and CRP in experimental rats. Liver function enzymes were also raised in G2 and G4 compared with G3. Besides, the RBCs and Hb were also reduced significantly in G4 while in G3. The mushroom extract effectively controlled the level of RBCs and Hb. An improvement in lipid profile was also measured in mushroom extract receiving rats. Conclusively, the mushroom extract alleviated DMBA-induced breast cancer potentially via improving antioxidants, reducing lipid peroxidation, and decreasing tumor biomarkers. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The present research study examined the antitumor potential of white button mushroom. The mushroom effectively prevented the increase in tumor biomarkers, reduction in antioxidant enzymes, and increase in lipid peroxidation in rats with DMBA-induced breast cancer. The mushroom can be used as a potential source to prevent breast cancer and further research can be conducted to explore its anticancer mechanisms.

The Effect of Zinc and Melatonin Administration on Lipid Peroxidation, IL-6 Levels, and Element Metabolism in DMBA-Induced Breast Cancer in Rats

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of zinc and melatonin administration on interleukin-6, lipid peroxidation parameters, and element metabolism in DMBA-induced breast cancer in female rats. A total of 42 recently weaned Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups as follows: control (group 1), DMBA control (group 2), DMBA + zinc (group 3), DMBA + melatonin (group 4), and DMBA + melatonin and zinc (group 5). Malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels in breast tissue and blood samples were determined via spectrophotometric methods. In addition, iron, magnesium, zinc, and copper levels in serum samples were determined by atomic emission, and plasma interleukin-6 levels were determined by ELISA method. The highest tissue and plasma MDA and the lowest tissue and erythrocyte GSH levels found in the study were in group 2; the highest tissue and erythrocyte GSH levels and the lowest tissue and plasma MDA levels are in group 5 (P < 0.05). Iron, magnesium, and zinc levels of groups 3, 4, and 5 were higher than the DMBA group without administration (group 2), but the copper values were significantly lower (P < 0.05). The highest IL-6 levels were determined in group 2 while IL-6 levels in the DMBA group (G5) treated with combined melatonin and zinc were lower than all other breast cancer groups (P < 0.05). According to the findings obtained in this presented study, combined zinc and melatonin therapy can contribute to the prevention of tumor growth by improving the disruption in element metabolism and suppressing IL-6 levels and reducing tissue damage that causes the cancer.

Proanthocyanidin alleviates doxorubicin-induced cardiac injury by inhibiting NF-kB pathway and modulating oxidative stress, cell cycle, and fibrogenesis

This study investigated the potential mechanism(s) and the signaling pathway(s) underlying the prophylactic effect of proanthocyanidin extract (PE) against doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiotoxicity in rats. A total of 32 male albino rats were randomly allocated into four groups. Control rats were orally administrated normal saline. Rats in the second group were orally administrated PE (50 mg/kg bw/once daily) for 4 weeks. Rats in the third group were intraperitoneally injected with DOX (10 mg/kg on Days 3, 9, 15, and 21 of the experiment). Rats in the fourth group were injected with DOX and PE simultaneously for 4 weeks. DOX significantly augmented the levels of serum heart damage biomarkers. In addition, histopathology indicated that DOX-induced cardiac tissue injury upregulated the expression of fibrogenic factors, alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), transforming growth factor β1 (TGF- β1), and p16^INK4A . Downregulation of cell proliferation markers, cyclin-dependent kinase-4 (CDK4), and retinoblastoma (Rb) was also observed. Furthermore, DOX-induced oxidative and inflammatory stress resulted in increased cardiac malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PC), interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Decreased cardiac glutathione (GSH) levels and enzyme activity of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) were observed. Treatment of DOX-induced rat cardiotoxicity with PE normalized serum parameters for the aforementioned parameters and alleviated cardiac tissue structure. Furthermore, reduced cardiac tissue α-SMA and TGF-β1, and increased CDK4 and Rb protein expression, along with the amelioration of oxidative and inflammatory effects were observed. PE attenuates DOX-induced cardiomyocyte inflammation possibly by attenuating the nuclear factor kappa-B (NF- kB) signaling pathway. These results indicate that PE may be useful as a preventative agent against DOX-induced cardiac toxicity.

The intervention of valproic acid on the tumorigenesis induced by an environmental carcinogen of PAHs

This study investigated whether valproic acid (VPA, a histone deacetylase inhibitor) can interfere with the carcinogenicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). A typical representative compound of PAHs, 7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA), was used to induce rat breast cancer. The results showed that therapeutic concentration of VPA (50 and 100 mg/kg) delayed the occurrence of tumors, reduced tumor formation rate and attenuated tumors growth, and have a protective effect on normal tissues. The macrophage-mediated inflammatory response was found to be associated with the observed effect of VPA. In addition, we screened and validated a possible gene, Sema3c, which was involved in DMBA-induced breast cancer development and can be inhibited by VPA.

Triclosan-induced liver injury in zebrafish (Danio rerio) via regulating MAPK/p53 signaling pathway

Long-term exposure of triclosan (TCS), an important antimicrobial agent, can lead to deleterious effects on liver growth and development. However, the related mechanisms on TCS-induced hepatocyte injury remain unclear. Herein, we found that after long-time TCS exposure to adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) from 6 hpf (hours post-fertilization) to 90 dpf (days post-fertilization), the body weight and hepatic weight were significantly increased in concomitant with a large amount of lipid droplet accumulation in liver. Also, TCS exposure resulted in occurrence of oxidative stress by increasing the concentrations of malondialdehyde and reducing the activity of superoxide dismutase both in zebrafish larvae (120 hpf) and adult liver. By H&E staining, we observed a series of abnormal phenomena such as severely hepatocellular atrophy and necrosis, as well as prominently increased hepatic plate gap in TCS-exposure treatment groups. Through AO staining, TCS induced obvious apoptosis in larval heart and liver; through TUNEL assay, a concentration-dependent apoptosis was found to mainly occur in adult liver and its surrounding tissues. The mRNA and protein expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 decreased, while that of pro-apoptosis protein Bax significantly increased, identifying that liver injury was closely related to hepatocyte apoptosis. The significant up-regulation of MAPK and p53 at both mRNA and protein levels proved that TCS-induced hepatocyte apoptosis was closely related to activating the MAPK/p53 signaling pathway. These results strongly suggest that long-term TCS-exposure may pose a great injury to zebrafish liver development by means of activating MAPK/p53 apoptotic signaling pathway, also lay theoretical foundation for further assessing TCS-induced ecological healthy risk.