Effect of Eremomastax polysperma on some Tumour Markers of 7,12-Dimethylbenz(A) Anthracene Induced Mammary Carcinogenesis in Female Rats

Background and Objective: Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death in women in the world. Several medicinal plants have been studied for their anti-proliferative effect on breast cancer. This study investigated the protective properties of Eremomastax polysperma on some tumour markers of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a) anthracene-induced mammary carcinogenesis in female rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight female rats were randomly divided into 4 groups of 7 rats each including control, carcinogenic (DMBA induced rats only), Tamoxifen treated group and Eremomastax polysperma treated group. The female rats were induced orally with a single dose of DMBA (20 mg kg^–1) before treatment with Eremomastax polysperma (500 mg kg^–1) and Tamoxifen (6.6 mg kg^–1). At the end of 8 weeks of the study, blood samples were collected for the determination of tumour markers using the Enzyme-Linked Immune-Sorbent Assay (ELISA) method and the breast tissues were collected from each group for histological examination. Data were compared statistically between groups using ANOVA. Results: From the result, carcinoembryonic antigen, estrogen receptor, Human C-Reactive Protein (hCRP) and human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) levels were significantly (p≤0.05) increased in the carcinogenic group when compared to the other groups (both the extract and the drug). Histological studies of the treated group showed characteristic mammary histomorphology with typical lobular organization and few expressions of pyknotic cell mass when compared to the carcinogenic group which showed hyperdense lobular intercalation with numerous pyknotic cell mass, suggesting pathological alteration. Conclusion: The results suggest that the plant could attenuate mammary carcinoma by reducing the concentration of these tumour markers and also the growth of the tumour. The reduced cell growth or tumour formation suggests that Eremomastax polyspermaextract may reduce the effect of mammary carcinogenesis.