Reduction of breast tumor burden in mice by a prenylated flavonoid, Artonin E

Abstract

Background Breast cancer is still a leading cause of cancer death among women. Thus, therapeutic alternatives from nature should be explored to lessen this burden. This is vital owing to the common occurrences of resistance in conventional therapies alongside their alarming side effects. Aims This study was carried out to investigate the inhibitory effect of Artonin E in female mice bearing 4T1 mammary tumour. Methods 4T1 cells in 100 mu L PBS were injected into the right mammary fat pad of each female Balb/c mice aged between six to eight weeks. Treatment was commenced when the palpable tumour attained a size of 50-200mm(3). The treatment groups included Artonin E, at dosages of 25mg/kg, 50mg/kg and 100mg/kg per oral bi-weekly, 10mg/kg of paclitaxel weekly and 5 percent tween 20 biweekly. Tumour volume and body weight changes were recorded at the staging day and then twice every week throughout the study period. At the end of the study, the vital tissues were collected for histopathologcal assessment and blood samples were taken for serum biochemical analyses. Results From the results, the group treated with either 50mg/kg or 100mg/kg of Artonin E showed a significant (p<0.05) reduction in tumour volume. Artonin E delayed quadruple tumour growth by more than five days in comparison to the untreated control group. Histopathology and biochemical analysis revealed no toxicity in the dosages of artonin E used in this study. Secondary tumour, which had metastasized to distant organs were seen to reduce upon treatment with Artonin E. Conclusion With the capacity to reduce in vivo tumour growth, Artonin E has a great prospect to be developed into an anticancer agent.