Effect of Pomegranate Extract and Tangeretin on Specific Pathways in the Rat Breast Cancer Model Induced with DMBA

Abstract

It was aimed to investigate the possible chemopreventive effects of Pomegranate extract (PE) and Tangeretin (TAN), in the rat breast cancer model induced with 7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA), on the selected angiogenesis parameters and NF-κB pathway. 56 Sprague Dawley female rats separated into 8 groups. Group I was control, Group II, III and IV were treated with PE, TAN and PE+TAN respectively. Group V was administered with DMBA, Group VI, VII and VIII also received PE, TAN and PE+TAN. The presence of the breast tumour tissue was demonstrated with histopathological examinations. Plasma VEGF, MMP-9 and NF-κB levels were determined using the ELISA method. As a result of the histopathological evaluations, it was determined that most (90%) of the tumors created were invasive ductal carcinoma. When compared to the controls, increased plasma VEGF, MMP-9 and NF- κB levels were determined in the DMBA group (p < 0.001; p < 0.05; p < 0.001). While quite significant decreases were observed in plasma VEGF and NF-κB levels in Group VI, Group VII and Group VIII compared to the DMBA group (p < 0.001; p < 0.001), decreases in MMP-9 levels were statistically insignificant. It was suggested that PE and TAN have chemopreventive effects on the development of breast cancer by effectively inhibiting both angiogenesis pathways and NF-κB pathway due to many natural bioactive agents they contain.

Keywords

• Breast cancer
• DMBA
• Pomegranate extract
• Tangeretin