Effects of henna leaf (Lawsonia inermis)‎ on biochemical and pathological alterations in chemically-induced cancer breast in albino female rats

Abstract EN

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Breast cancer is one of the most common and treatable of all-human malignancies.

The development of breast cancer is associated with oxidative stress.

Henna leaf (Lawsonia inermis) has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antipyretic, analgesic, antioxidant and anticarcinogenic effect as well.

This study is designed to investigate the effects of henna leaf on the chemically –induced cancer breast in albino female rats.

METHODS: Thirty albino female rats of 45 days age were used.

The animals were divided into three groups 10 animals each.

Group I (control group), group II received the carcinogenic substance 7, 12-dimethyl benz (a) anthracene (DMBA) intraperitonially, in single dose of 10 mg that can induce palpable mammary masses within 90 days and group III received the carcinogenic substance by the same concentrations, duration and the same route as in group II till induced palpable mammary masses then treated orally once daily for one month with 200 mg / kg body weight of henna leaf extract.

Blood samples were collected from the three groups and the serum used for determination of estradiol hormone and lipid bound sialic acid.

The animals then sacrificed and specimens were taken from the breast tumor tissues and tissue homogenate was done for determination of nitric oxide (NO) and total glutathione.

Another specimen was taken from the breast tumor tissues and processed for histopathological examination.

RESULTS: Group II showed that DMBA administration caused a significant increase in the serum level of both estradiol and lipid bound sialic acid.

Also, DMBA induced a significant increase in the level of NO and a significant decrease in the level of total glutathione in breast tumor tissues homogenate.

The palpable masses were rubbery in consistency, whitish cut surface with focal ulceration of the overlying skin.

Mammary adenocarcinomas with a prevailing cribriform pattern were seen in DMBA treated group.

Group III showed that treatment with henna induced a significant decrease of serum estradiol level as well as a decrease in the serum level of lipid bound sialic acid.

Also henna caused a significant decrease in NO and a significant increase in the level of total glutathione in breast tumor tissues homogenate.

As regard the lesions size there were marked reduction in them in all animals.

Histologically, group III breast masses showed extensive areas of necrosis, and exhibited stromal reaction composed of admixture of lymphocytes, plasma cells, histiocytes, and fibroblasts (signs of regression).

Histopathological assessment also demonstrated cellular morphological features of apoptosis in both malignant and dysplastic cells.

CONCLUSION: We can conclude that the effects of henna leaf on breast cancer induced chemically by DMBA are incomplete and exerted mainly through a decrease of free radicals and increase in the antioxidant level.