Effect and mechanism of Xihuang Pills on rats with precancerous lesions of breast / 中国中药杂志

The purpose of this study was to explore the effect and mechanism of Xihuang Pills on rats with precancerous lesions of the breast. Of 48 healthy female rats, 8 were randomly selected as blank group, and the other 40 were treated with 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene(DMBA) combined with estrogen and progestin to establish a model of precancerous lesions of the breast. The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into a model group, a tamoxifen group(1.8 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), a Xihuang Pills low-dose group(0.3 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), a medium-dose group(0.6 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)) and a high-dose group(1.2 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)). After 30 days of admi-nistration, the histopathological changes of viscera and breast were observed by haematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining, and the visceral index was calculated. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the contents of estradiol(E_2) and progesterone(P) in serum. The protein expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor 2(FGF2) were detected by immunohistochemistry. The protein expressions of VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2(VEGFR2), phosphorylated-vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2(p-VEGFR2), B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2), and Bcl-2 associated X protein(Bax) were detected by Western blot and the mRNA expressions of VEGF, FGF2, CXC-chemokine receptor 4(CXCR4), cysteine aspartic acid-specific protease(caspase-3), and stromal cell-derived factor 1(SDF-1) were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). HE staining revealed that the model group had some liver and kidney damages and severe hyperplastic mammary tissue, while the Xihuang Pills high-dose group had mild hyperplasia. Compared with the model group, the Xihuang Pills groups had lo-wer ovarian coefficient(P<0.05 or P<0.01) and Xihuang Pills high-dose group had lower uterine coefficient(P<0.01). ELISA results showed that compared with the model group, expressions of E_2 and P in Xihuang Pills high-dose group were significantly decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01). Immunohistochemistry, Western blot and RT-PCR indicated that compared with the conditions in the model group, the protein and mRNA expressions of VEGF and FGF2 in the Xihuang Pills groups were down-regulated(P<0.05 or P<0.01), and the protein expression of Bcl-2 was lowered(P<0.01); there was a decrease in the protein expressions of VEGFR2 and p-VEGFR2(P<0.01), a down-regulation in the mRNA expressions of CXCR4 and SDF-1(P<0.01), while an increase in the mRNA expression of caspase-3(P<0.01) in both Xihuang Pills medium-dose and high-dose groups; the protein expression of Bax in Xihuang Pills high-dose group was increased(P<0.01). The above results indicated that Xihuang Pills can effectively intervene in precance-rous lesions of the breast, and the mechanism may be related to the regulation of E_2 and P secretion as well as the inhibition of angiogenesis and chemokine receptor expression, thus controlling the occurrence of precancerous lesions of the breast in rats.

Experimental carcinogenesis with 7, 12-dimethylbenz(a)anthrazene (DMBA) and its inhibition with isothi-ocyanates / Carcinogénesis experimental con 7, 12-dimetilbenzantraceno (DMBA) y su inhibición con isitiocianatos

Introduction: DMBA is a chemical carcinogen that induces carcinomas within a few weeks of its application. We developed an experimental model of carcinogenesis induced by DMBA dissolved in 0,5% paraffin oil (DMBA-PO), verifying the inhibitory effect of the carcinogenicity of phenyl isothiocyanate (PhITC), phenethyl (PhnITC) and benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC). Material and Methods: For this, 88 hamsters were distributed into three groups: one exposed to DMBA-PO (Group 1, n=12), three subgroups (n=12) exposed to PhITC, PhnITC, BITC and DMBA-PO (Group 2, n=36) and four control subgroups (n=10) that were not exposed to the carcinogen in which PO (paraffin oil) and isothiocyanates were applied (Group 3, n=40). Results: The experiment had a duration of 20 weeks, at the end of which the inhibitory effect was established by comparing the lesions developed in the groups that received isothiocyanates with the group that was only treated with DMBA-PO. The carcinogenic effect of DMBA-PO is 100% (35 carcinomas) and the inhibitory effect was 0, whereas in the presence of isothiocyanates the carcinogenic effect decreases, with an inhibitory effect of 86% for BITC (5 carcinomas) and 74% for PhITC (9 carcinomas). Conclusion: The inhibitory effect for PhnITC is 80% in relation to invasive OSCC (1 carcinoma).

Introducción: El DMBA es un carcinógeno químico que induce carcinomas a las pocas semanas de su aplicación. Desarrollamos un modelo experimental de carcinogénesis inducida por DMBA disuelto en aceite de parafina al 0,5% (DMBA-Ap) comprobando el efecto inhibidor de la carcinogénesis de los isotiocianatos fenil (PhITC), fenetil (PhnITC) y bencil isotiocianato (BITC). Material y Métodos: Para ello, se distribuyeron 88 hámsteres en 3 grupos: uno expuesto al DMBA-Ap (Grupo 1, n=12), tres subgrupos (n=12) expuestos a PhITC, PhnITC, BITC y DMBA-Ap (Grupo 2, n=36) y cuatro subgrupos controles (n=10), no expuestos al carcinógeno en el que se aplicaron Ap e isotiocianatos (Grupo 3, n=40). Resultados:El experimento tuvo una duración de 20 semanas, al final de la cual se establece de forma comparativa el efecto inhibidor comparando las lesiones desarrolladas en los grupos que recibieron isotiocianatos con respecto al grupo tratado sólo con DMBA-Ap. El efecto carcinógeno del DMBA-Ap es del 100% (35 carcinomas) y el efecto inhibidor 0, mientras que en presencia de isotiocianatos el efecto carcinógeno disminuye, con un efecto inhibidor del 86% para BITC (5 carcinomas) y del 74% para el PhITC (9 carcinomas). Conclusión:El efecto inhibidor del PhnITC es del 80% en relación con el COCE invasivo (1 carcinoma).

Azadirachta indica mitigates DMBA-induced hepatotoxicity: A biochemical and radiometric study.

The hepatoprotective potential of aqueous Azadirachta indica leaf extract (AAILE) was assessed against DMBA-induced hepatotoxicity. DMBA  (7,12-dimethylbenz[a] anthracene) treatment (40 mg/kg body weight, ip) to male Balb/c mice resulted in the derailment of liver function as revealed by extremely slow clearance of 99mTc-mebrofenin from liver, elevated levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and alanine transaminase (ALT), compared to control group. In addition, elevated micronuclei score and high apoptotic index indicated hepatogenotoxicity in DMBA-treated mice. DMBA treatment also upregulated cytochrome P450 (CYP), cytochrome b5 (Cyt b5) and decreased glutathione-S-transferase activity in hepatic tissue, compared to control group. Enhanced lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels along with decreased reduced glutathione (GSH) level were also observed in DMBA group, compared to control group. AAILE co-treatment (200 mg/kg body weight, po, thrice a week) for 8 weeks followed by DMBA injection showed significant improvement in hepatic status, as revealed by normalization of 99mTc-mebrofenin clearance rate, decreased ALP and ALT levels, reduced genotoxicity in terms of micronuclei score and apoptotic index. Levels of LPO were significantly decreased along with increased hepatic GST and GSH levels in AAILE + DMBA group, compared to DMBA group. However, no significant change was observed in hepatic CYP and Cyt b5 levels, compared to DMBA group. The results indicated that AAILE effectively ameliorated DMBA-induced hepatotoxicity.

Effect of curcumin and ferulic acid on modulation of expression pattern of p53 and bcl-2 proteins in 7,12-dimethylbenz[]anthracene-induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis.

The modulating effect of curcumin and ferulic acid was investigated on expression pattern of apoptosis regulatory p53 and bcl-2 proteins in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The OSCC was induced in the buccal pouch of golden Syrian hamster by painting with 0.5% 7,12-dimethylbenz[]anthracene (DMBA) three-times a week for 14 weeks. The expression pattern of p53 and bcl-2 proteins was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining. We noticed 100% tumor formation in hamsters painted with DMBA alone for 14 weeks. Overexpression of p53 and bcl-2 proteins was observed in the buccal mucosa of tumor-bearing hamsters. Oral administration of curcumin (80 mg/kg body wt) and ferulic acid (40 mg/kg body wt) to DMBA painted hamsters on days alternate to DMBA painting for 14 weeks completely inhibited tumor formation and down-regulated the expression pattern of p53 and bcl-2 proteins. Our results thus demonstrated the protective role of curcumin and ferulic acid on DMBA-induced abnormal expression of p53 and bcl-2 proteins in the buccal mucosa of golden Syrian hamsters.

[ effect of Dorema aucheri extract on breast tumor induced by DBMA in rats]

Dorema aucheri is from the piaceae family that exists in margins of Zagros mountains in Iran. In this study, the effect of 200 and 400 mg doses of Dorema aucheri extract on DMBA induced breast tumors in rats was investigated. This experimental study, was conducted in Herbal Medicine Research Center of Yasuj University of Medical Sciences. Forty rats were allocated in experimental and control groups. In experimental groups, after receiving DMBA, Dorema aucheri alcoholic extract in doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg of body weight were used orally for 12 weeks. One group of control animals received DMBA only and the other group received 200 mg of Dorema aucheri extract. At the end of 12 weeks, the tumor mass was isolated and evaluated by hematoxylin eosin histology staining. The average tumor size, number of tumors, and histology of tumors in groups were compared. The gathered data were analyzed using SPSS version 18, using ANOVA and Paired T test. Mean of tumor number were significantly different in experimental and control groups. No tumor was seen in control group which received 200 mg of the extract while breast tumor was seen in other groups. Mean of tumor number in animals which received 400 mg of extract was significantly higher that the other groups [p<0.05]. It seems that the dose of 400 mg extract of Dorema aucheri increases the tumor size, causes weight loss, decreases longevity and durability of rats while dose of 200 mg of extract reduces the tumor growth and tumor necrosis in Sprague Dawley female rat's with breast tumor induced by DMBA

[Determination of chromosomal changes in DMBA-induced skin cancer in SD rat strains]

Skin cancer is one of the most important cancers in the world. This cancer is more common in men than women. We survey chromosomal changes in DMBA-induced skin cancer in SD rat strains. In this fundamental study, 20 SD rat strains were randomly divided into case and contal group. DMBA [2.5 mg] was injected to SD rat strains subcutaneously; therefore skin cancer model for studies was created. Tumors became subjects for cell culture and metaphase chromosomal were prepared. Finally g-banding were stained. We have also transmitted genomic information from rat to human using suitable databases and Gene were determined. Data showed numerical and frequent structural changes in different number of chromosomes. For example; gain in chromosomes number 1, 15, 17 and loss in 1, 7, 15, and also structural changes like deletion was seen in chromosomes number 1, 4, 8, 10, 15, 17, and addition in chromosome number 15. it is predicted that CST6, PRKCDBP, PTCH1, DKK3, BRMS1, CDKN1C, CD81, DMP1, CDKN2B, EEF1A1, HRAS, CASP2, KLF4 probably cause skin cancer

Effect of Nigella sativa oil on the hamster lymphocytes secondary to DMBA-induced carcinogenesis

This study was designed to evaluate the possible role of Nigella sativa L. [NS] oil, as immuno-stimulatory agent against DMBA-induced hamster buccal pouch [HBP] carcinogenesis. This study was carried-out on eighty-five male golden Syrian hamsters divided into nine main groups. In animals of DMBA-treated groups, the left buccal pouches were painted with 0.5% DMBA, 3 times/week. Animals of NS-treated groups were given 5 mgs /day of NS oil orally. Other groups were given both NS and DMBA at the same time, 3 times/week. Before animals sacrificing, blood samples were withdrawn from the orbital sinus. Both buccal pouches were surgically excised, fixed in 10% neutral buffered formaline, and processed for H and E stain. Topical application of DMBA in HBP induced immunosuppression through reduction of lymphocytes production and produced different grades of epithelial dysplasia. Administration of NS oil, significantly enhanced the immune system through increased lymphocytes production, and inhibited development of advanced dysplastic changes. These findings suggest that NS oil is a potential retarding agent of DMBA-induced HBP carcinogenesis possibly through enhancing the cell-mediated immune system

Expression of p53 following Nigella sativa Oil treatment in DMBA-induced :hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis

This study was designed to evaluate the possible role of Nigella sativa L. [NS] oil, as chemopreventive agent against DMBA- induced hamster buccal pouch [HBP] carcinogenesis. This study was carried-out on eighty-five male golden Syrian hamsters divided into nine main groups. In animals of DMBA-treated groups the left buccal pouches were painted with 0.5% DMBA, 3 times/week. Animals of NS-treated groups, were given 5 mgs/day of NS oil orally. Other groups were given both NS and DMBA at the same time, 3 times/week for 6 weeks. The animals were sacrificed by inhalation of high dose of ether. Both buccal pouches were surgically excised fixed in 10% neutral buffered formaline, and processed for H and E and p53 immunohistochemical stains. Topical application of DMBA in HBP, produced different grades of epithelial dysplasia, and over-expression of mutant p53. Administration of NS oil, inhibited the development of advanced dysplastic changes, and decreased expression of mutant p53. These findings suggest that NS oil is a potential retarding agent of DMBA-induced HBP carcinogenesis through down-regulating mutant p53 expression

Modulation of DMBA-induced biochemical changes by organoselenium compounds in blood of rats.

The protective role of two synthetic organoselenium compounds 1-isopropyl-3-methylbenzimidazole-2-selenone (SeI) and 1, 3-di-p-methoxybenzylpyrimidine-2-selenone (Sell) was examined against the 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced changes in biochemical parameters in blood of rats. Albino Winstar rats (150-200 g body wt) were treated with single dose of DMBA (50 mg/kg body wt) and organoselenium compounds (25 micromol/kg) for 4 weeks at two days internal. Blood was taken from the anaesthetized rats ventricle from their hearts for biochemical analysis. Administration of DMBA resulted in elevation of urea, uric acid and creatinine levels as well as AST, ALT and LDH activities and decrease in levels of total proteins, albumin and globulin. SeI and SeII caused a significant (p<0.05) decrease in urea, uric acid and creatinine levels and alanine aminotransferase (ALT); aspartate aminotransferase; (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities and significantly increased the levels of total protein and albumin (p<0.05). These organoselenium compounds are likely to be beneficial in human health.

Modulation of antioxidant potential in liver of mice by kernel oil of cashew nut (Anacardium occidentale) and its lack of tumour promoting ability in DMBA induced skin papillomagenesis.

Cashew nut shell oil has been reported to possess tumour promoting property. Therefore an attempt has been made to study the modulatory effect of cashew nut (Anlacardium occidentale) kernel oil on antioxidant potential in liver of Swiss albino mice and also to see whether it has tumour promoting ability like the shell oil. The animals were treated orally with two doses (50 and 100 microl/animal/day) of kernel oil of cashew nut for 10 days. The kernel oil was found to enhance the specific activities of SOD, catalase, GST, methylglyoxalase I and levels of GSH. These results suggested that cashew nut kernel oil had an ability to increase the antioxidant status of animals. The decreased level of lipid peroxidation supported this possibility. The tumour promoting property of the kernel oil was also examined and found that cashew nut kernel oil did not exhibit any solitary carcinogenic activity.

Chemopreventive action of Phyllanthus urinaria Linn on DMBA-induced skin carcinogenesis in mice.

The inhibition of tumor incidence by hydro-alcoholic extract of the whole plant of P. urinaria was evaluated in 6-7 weeks old female albino mice on two-stage process of skin carcinogenesis induced by a single application of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (50 microg/50 microl of acetone), and 2 weeks later, promoted by repeated application of croton oil (1% in acetone/three times a week) till the end of the experiment (15 weeks). Topical application of the extract at a dose of 5 mg/kg body weight/day for 15 weeks at the peri-initiational stage (i.e., 7 days before and 7 days after DMBA application), promotional stage (i.e., from the time of croton oil application) and both peri and post-initiational stages (i.e., 7 days prior to DMBA application and continued till the end of the experiment) on the shaven backs of the mice recorded a significant reduction in tumor incidence to 50, 33.3 and 16.7% respectively in comparison to the control (i.e., the mice treated with DMBA and croton oil only) where tumor incidence was found to be 81.8%. The average number of papillomas per mouse was also significantly reduced. The results suggest a possible chemopreventive property of P. urinaria against DMBA-induced skin papillomagenesis in mice.

Chemopreventive action of Boerhaavia diffusa on DMBA-induced skin carcinogenesis in mice.

Boerhaavia diffusa, Linn (Fam: Nyctagenaceae), is widely used for the treatment of Jaundice in various parts of India. In the present study, cancer chemopreventive property of B. diffusa was evaluated on 7,12-dimethyl benz(a)anthracene (DMBA) induced skin papillomagenesis in male Swiss albino mice (6-7 weeks old). A single topical application of 7,12-dimethyl benz(a)anthracene (50 microg/50 microl of acetone), followed 2 weeks later by repeated application of croton oil (1% in acetone three times a week) and continued till the end of the experiment exhibited 100% tumor incidence. In contrast, mice treated topically on the shaven backs with the Boerhaavia diffusa extract at either the peri-initiational phase (i.e. 7 days before and 7 days after the application of DMBA; Group II), post initiational phase (i.e. from the day of start of croton oil treatment and continued till the end of the experiment; Group III) or continuously at the peri- and post-initiational stages (i.e. 7 days prior to DMBA application and continued till the end of the experiment; Group IV), a significant reduction in the values of tumor incidence (Group II - 65%; Group III - 30%; Group IV - 25%), average number of tumors per tumor bearing mouse (Group II - 2.8; Group III - 0.75; Group IV - 0.35) and papillomas per papilloma bearing mouse (Group II - 3.1; Group III - 2.5; Group IV - 1.2) were observed.

Periodic histopathological and ultrastructural changes of excess vitamin A on oral carcinogenesis.

In this study initially a precancerous condition, leukoplakia, was develop at 6 weeks treatment of DMBA whereas in the animals treated both DMBA + Vit. A, leukoplakia was seen at 10 weeks followed by papilloma or nodules at 12 weeks. Tumours induced by DMBA were more in number than DMBA + Vit. A treated tumours. The histological and ultrastructural changes were enhanced and prominent in DMBA treated animals at 12 weeks, where as these changes were considerably less in animals treated with DMBA + vit. A at 12 weeks.