Protective effects of caffeine and artemisinin against initiation of breast tumour in 7, 12-dimethylbenzanthracene treated albino rats

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in women and it causes high cancer-related deaths globally. Cancer prevention strategies for breast cancer are limited hence remedies that have protective effects against the initiation of carcinogenesis are relevant. This study evaluated inhibition and effects on breast cancer by artemisinin and caffeine. Tumor development in 35 female albino rats after a dose of 40 mg/kg of 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA) and effects on DNA damage in breast tissues was assessed using comet assay and histology studies after 5weeks of daily administration of 25 mg/kg caffeine, 4mg/kg artemisinin or combination of both. Comet scores in treated groups were compared with positive and negative controls, at a significance level of p < 0.05. A mammary tumor was observed in negative control group after 54 days. Caffeine-artemisinin combination and artemisinin showed a very mild degree of DNA damage compared to the positive control. Comet values in Caffeine-artemisinin, negative control was 0.83%, 3.19%, respectively. Histopathological analyses of mammary tissues showed no evidence of neoplasm which correlated with DNA damage levels and the absence of tumor. Combination of artemisinin and caffeine may reduce the risk of developing breast cancer by inhibiting initiation, promotion and progression which is crucial for reducing cancer morbidities.