article · Bioscience Reports
Investigation into the effects of dandelion extract on chemically induced breast cancer in albino rats demonstrates notable anticancer activity. In the animal model, administration of the chemical inducer elevated the cancer biomarker CA15-3 and stimulated excessive epithelial cell proliferation in mammary gland tissues, accompanied by hyperchromatic nuclei and heavy Bcl2 immunostaining. Providing dandelion extract for four weeks successfully normalised CA15-3 concentrations and ameliorated these abnormal structural tissue changes. The chemical induction also triggered the upregulation of several genes within the mammary tissue, specifically Pdk1, Akt1, Pik3r1, Map3k1, Erbb2, and Pik3ca. Subsequent extract treatment restored normal messenger RNA expression levels across these genes, with the exception of Pik3ra, which was upregulated. Overall, the botanical extract counteracted breast cancer growth and proliferation by modulating the PI3K and Akt signalling pathways.
Breast cancer research constantly seeks new therapeutic strategies, and botanical compounds offer significant opportunities for drug discovery. Demonstrating that a common herbal extract can restore critical cancer biomarkers, reverse tissue abnormalities, and regulate gene expression in animal models provides valuable biological evidence for the ongoing exploration of natural products in oncology.
This research could inform pharmaceutical and nutraceutical developers interested in identifying plant-derived compounds that modulate the PI3K and Akt pathways in oncology. Because the findings are based entirely on early-stage animal testing in rats, the work remains far from clinical use. Substantial downstream research, including active compound isolation, toxicity profiling, and clinical trials, will be required before commercial therapeutics can be developed.
AI-generated from the published abstract. Always read the original work before citing.
Level of CA15-3 was normalized in DMBA group administered TOE for 4 weeks. Administration of DMBA increased expression of <i>Pdk1, Akt1, Pik3r1, Map3k1, Erbb2 and PIk3ca</i> Treatment with TOE normalized the up-regulated mRNA for all examined genes except <i>Pik3ra</i> 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.
This page summarises published work. The authoritative version sits with the publisher.
DOI: 10.1042/bsr20180334
Is something wrong with this record? Report it or request removal.
Discussion
Have you built on this work, tried to replicate it, or seen it applied in practice? Share what you know. Verified researchers and MARATTO™ domain experts can open a discussion, and any member can reply. Contributions are reviewed before they appear.
No discussion yet. Open the first thread.
New to MARATTO™? Create a free account.
