Publication:

Evaluation of anti-tumor activity of Momordica cymbalaria fenzl

Background The aim of the current study is to evaluate the anti-tumor activity of saponins isolated from the roots of Momordica cymbalaria (MC) against dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) induced rats.

Methods A steroidal saponin MC (SMC) was isolated from MC fenzl and purified by preparative high-performance liquid chromatography. Breast cancer was induced in 50-day-old female Sprague-Dawley rats by injecting DMBA (6 mg/kg intravenous) in three doses on day 50, 54, and 57. The rats were randomized into four groups; control, DMBA, SMC (100 mg/kg), and tamoxifen (6.6 mg/kg) to DMBA breast cancer rats. The tumor size, volume, hormonal, antioxidant, and whole mount parameters were estimated.

Results Mean tumor size and volume, luteinizing hormone, and progesterone with superoxide dismutases, catalase, and glutathione levels increased significantly (p<0.001); serum estradiol, follicle stimulating hormone with lipid peroxidation decreased significantly (p<0.001) in DMBA-induced breast cancer and vice versa in SMC and tamoxifen. Terminal end buds, terminal ducts, alveolar buds, and lobules decreased significantly (p<0.001) in DMBA-induced breast cancer whereas increased significantly in SMC and tamoxifen. Histological necrosis and hemorrhage along with focal desmoplastic reaction in DMBA-induced breast cancer; ductile elongation and hyperplasia of both ducts and alveoli were prominent, with increased secretory activity in SMC group. The results confirmed the chemopreventive effect of SMC and tamoxifen in DMBA-induced breast cancer.

Conclusions The SMC exhibited anti-tumor activity against mammary cancer, which may be due to its anti-estrogenic, antioxidant activity.