Effect of Taraxacum officinale extract on PI3K/Akt pathway in DMBA-induced breast cancer in albino rats

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent types of cancer and a leading cause of death in women. Materials and methods: An experimental model of breast cancer was induced in female albino rats using single intragastric dose of 7, 12 dimethylbenz (α) anthracene (DMBA) in sesame oil (50 mg/kg b.wt). Four months after DMBA administration, incidence of breast cancer was confirmed by measuring cancer antigen 15-3 (CA15-3) serum levels. Taraxacum officinale ssp. officinale root extract (TOE) was administered in a dose of 500 mg/kg by oral gavage for 4 weeks after breast cancer incidence. Level of CA15-3 as one of the best known breast tumor markers was elevated in all positive breast cancer rats. The genetic effects of TOE on Pdk1–Akt1–Pik3r1–Map3k1–Erbb2–PIk3ca using semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis were evaluated. In parallel, histopathological changes and immunohistochemical expression of Bcl2 in mammary gland tissues were examined. Results: Level of CA15-3 was normalized in DMBA group administered TOE for 4 weeks. Administration of DMBA increased expression of Pdk1, Akt1, Pik3r1, Map3k1, Erbb2 and PIk3ca. Treatment with TOE normalized the up-regulated mRNA for all examined genes except Pik3ra that was up-regulated. Mammary gland tissues of DMBA group showed excessive proliferation of lining epithelium of acini and ductules with hyperchromatic nuclei with excessive immunostaining of Bcl2 in the proliferated epithelium that was ameliorated by TOE administration. In conclusion, TOE regulated PI3K and Akt pathways involved in suppression of breast cancer growth and proliferation. TOE is effective as anticancer herbal agent.