Comparative Effect of African Walnut Oil and Docosahexaenoic Acid on Hematological and Oxidative Stress Markers of Female Wistar Rats With 7,12‐Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene‐Induced Breast Cancer

Abstract

ABSTRACT This work analyzed the effect of African walnut oil (AWO) on tumor size, hematological and oxidative stress markers in female rats with 7,12‐dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)‐induced breast cancer in comparison to docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Eighteen rats with developed tumors were randomized into three groups of six rats each: the negative control, the positive control and test group. Six rats in which cancer was not induced served as the normal group. The four groups, respectively received distilled water (250 mg/kg), DHA (125 mg/kg), African walnut oil (1000 mg/kg), and distilled water by gavaging every day for 28 days. Tumor size was measured. The rats were sacrificed on the 29th day. The blood was collected, and part of it was used to prepare the serum. Organs of interest were used to prepare organ homogenates. Hematological markers were measured on the blood. The serum and organ homogenates were analyzed for their protein and oxidative stress markers. Results showed significantly ( p < 0.001) higher tumor size in the negative control group (8.21 cm 3 ) compared to the groups taking DHA (4 cm 3 ) and AWO (5.37 cm 3 ). Data from the hematological study showed that DHA and AWO oil increased white blood cells by 30.22%–88.83%, DHA increased platelets by 33.33% and AWO increased mean corpuscular hemoglobin in the blood by 32.94%. Rats that received DMBA presented significantly lower ( p < 0.001) red blood cells (2.08–3.82 × 10 12 /L) and hemoglobin (5.10–7.30 g/dL) levels compared to the normal group (7.9 × 10 12 /L and 13.06 g/dL, respectively). The protein content of organ homogenate was significantly ( p < 0.01) lower in the negative control group (0.16–2.92 g/dL) compared to other groups (~1.44–4.88 g/dL). Analysis of oxidative stress markers generally showed lower ( p < 0.05) glutathione peroxidase, nitric oxide and catalase activities; and higher superoxide dismutase activity and malondialdehyde levels in the negative control groups. AWO oil could be used in delaying tumor growth, preserving hematological markers and limiting oxidative damage in rats with breast cancer.