Artemisia annua Extract Ameliorates DMBA-induced Breast Cancer in Albino rats; Antioxidant and Genetic Effects

Abstract

Breast cancer is considered a major health problem causing death in women around the world and is ranked second most common carcinoma. Millions of women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year, and more than half million women die annually due to this disease. So this work was designed to detect the effect of Artemisia annua extract as one of the famous medicinal plants on breast cancer. This study examined the anti-oxidant effects of Artemisia annua extract together with its effect on levels of tumour markers as CA 15.3 and carcino-embryonic antigen. Effects of Artemisia annua extract on mRNA expression of Bax, AKT1, CYP1A1 and ERBB2 were detected. Our results showed significant decline of levels of total antioxidant capacity, SOD, CAT, GSH and GPX levels in DMBA administered rats with significant elevation in Artemisia annua extract treated groups(P<0.05). Significant increase of MDA level in DMBA administered rats was detected with significant decline in Artemisia annua extract treated groups (P<0.05). Significant up-regulation of mRNA expressions of AKT1, CYP1A1 and ERBB2 were detected in DMBA administered rats with significant normalization in Artemisia annua extract treated groups (P<0.05). Finally, we recommend use of Artemisia annua extract as a promising complementary drug in case of breast cancer.