Effect of Imbrasia truncata oil and docosahexaenoic acid on cancer antigen CA15-3, biochemical and histopathological markers of female Wistar rats with DMBA-Induced Breast Cancer

Abstract

This study aimed at evaluating the effect of Imbrasia truncata oil on cancer antigen CA15-3, biochemical and histopathological markers of female Wistar rats with 7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-Induced (DMBA) breast cancer in comparison to docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Oil was extracted from Imbrasia truncata caterpillar and analyzed for its quality. For the animal bioassay, 56 female rats aged 6-8 weeks (55-60 g each) were used. Breast cancer was induced in 50 rats using a single dose (50 mg/kg BW) of DMBA dissolved in 1 mL olive oil. At week 19, rats with similar tumor sizes (18) and those of the same batch that were not induced for breast cancer (06) were randomized into four groups of six rats each: The negative control, the positive control, the test and the normal groups that received distilled water (250 mg/kg), DHA (125 mg/kg), Imbrasia oil (1000 mg/kg) and distilled water (250 mg/kg) respectively by gavaging every day for 28 days. Tumor size was measured after every 02 days. The rats were allowed to fast on the 28th day and were sacrificed on the 29th day. The blood was collected and centrifuged to obtain the serum on which the breast cancer antigen CA15-3 level, the lipid profile, serum enzymes activities [Aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)] and creatinine level were measured. Organs were collected for histopathological studies. Results showed that the oil quality indices were within the accepted standard ranges. Docosahexaenoic acid and Imbrasia truncata oil led to the lowest tumor sizes and significantly increased the HDL cholesterol and reduced breast cancer antigen tumor marker CA15-3 level. They also significantly reduced the AST, ALT, LDH activities and creatinine level of the serum compared to the negative control group. The microstructure of organs showed that docosahexaenoic acid and Imbrasia truncata oil have a protective effect on them. These findings suggest that Imbrasia truncata oil and DHA delay tumor progression and exhibit biochemical regulatory effects that may help in the management of breast cancer.