AUTHOR=Zingué Stéphane , Tchoupang Edwige Nana , Madji Linda Takou , Pehuie Fomat Boris Hugor , Mafogang Borelle , Njamen Dieudonné , Mendimi Joseph Marie Nkodo 

TITLE=Ricinodendron heudelotii (Euphorbiaceae) seed oil prevents DMBA-induced breast cancer under menopause-like conditions in Wistar rats

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pharmacology

VOLUME=15

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2024.1389976

DOI=10.3389/fphar.2024.1389976

ISSN=1663-9812

ABSTRACT=<p>Despite efforts, breast cancer remains associated with a high incidence and mortality rate. <italic>Ricinodendron heudelotii</italic> also known as “Njansang,” is a plant used for cancer treatment. While several reports on the anticancer potential of its leaves exist, little is known about its seed oil. This study aimed to evaluate the <italic>in vitro</italic> and <italic>in vivo</italic> anti-breast cancer activity of “Njansang” seed oil. The inhibitory effect of “Njansang” seed oil was determined using MTT and CCK-8 dye reduction assays. Breast cancer was induced with DMBA and promoted with E<sub>2</sub>V (1 mg/kg) for 4 weeks in ovariectomized rats (menopausal condition). Evaluated parameters included tumor incidence, tumor mass and volume, histopathology, breast cancer biomarker CA 15–3, antioxidant status (CAT, GSH, MDA, NO, SOD), TNF-α and INFγ levels, lipid profile (total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol), as well as toxicity parameters (ALT, AST, creatinine). “Njansang” oil significantly reduced the growth of ER+ (MCF-7) and triple negative (MDA-MB 231) adenocarcinoma cells <italic>in vitro</italic> as well as tumor incidence, tumor mass and CA 15–3 levels <italic>in vivo</italic>. It exhibited antioxidant activity, characterized by an increase in SOD and catalase activities, GSH levels and decreased MDA levels compared to the DMBA group. TNF-α and INF-γ levels were reduced following oil treatment, while total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride levels were reduced. The aforementioned findings confirm the protective effects of “Njansang” oil on induced breast cancer in ovariectomized rats.</p>