Fraction from Calliandra portoricensis reduces 7, 12 dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced mammary tumors in Wistar rats

OBJECTIVE: Calliandra portoricensis (CP) is used in Nigeria for the treatment of breast diseases. We investigated the effects of fraction from CP on 7, 12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary gland tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Female Wistar rats (40) were allotted into five equal groups. Group 1 served as control, group 2 received DMBA (50 mg/kg), groups 3 and 4 received DMBA and were treated with CP at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg respectively, and the group 5 received DMBA and vincristine (0.5 mg/kg). DMBA was injected intraperitoneally once while vincristine and CP were given twice and thrice per week, respectively. RESULTS: Administration ofDMBA caused a significant decrease in body weight gain by 52%. In addition, DMBA significantly increased organo-somatic weight of mammary gland by 4.0 folds. Also, DMBA significantly increased inflammatory and oxidative stress markers serum interleukin-1β (IL-1β), lipid peroxidation (LPO) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) by 27, 18 and 435%, respectively. Similarly, mammary NO (nitric oxide) and LPO were increased by 468 and 21%, respectively. In contrast, DMBA decreased the levels of apoptotic markers BAX, caspases 3 and 9 by 20, 15 and 18%, and mammary superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione-s-peroxidase (GPx) by 45, 51 and 68%, respectively. Histology revealed gland with malignant epithelial cells and high nucleo-cytoplasm in DMBA-administered rats. Treatment with CP 100 mg/kg decreased LPO, MPO, IL-1β and NO by 28, 35, 78 and 85%, respectively, and ameliorated DMBA-induced cyto-architectural anomalies. CONCLUSION: Fraction of CP protects mammary gland from DMBA insults via antioxidative and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.