Modulatory effect of Pleurotus ostreatus on oxidant/antioxidant status in 7, 12-dimethylbenz (a) anthracene induced mammary carcinoma in experimental rats--A dose-response study.

BACKGROUND: Worldwide, breast cancer is the second most prevalent cancer among women and its incidence is increasing alarmingly.

AIM: To determine a dose-response effect of Pleurotus ostreatus on oxidant/antioxidant status in 7,12-dimethylbenz. (a) antheracene induced. (DMBA) mammary carcinoma in experimental rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cancer bearing female Sprague Dawley rats were orally treated with Pleurotus ostreatus ethanolic extract (POEet) (150, 300 and 600 mg/kg body weight) for 16 weeks. By means of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis, ergosterol (48.82%) were identified and quantified in POEet. Body weight of experimental rats in each groups and the biochemical parameters of plasma, liver and mammary tissues were carried out. Histopathological analyses were also determined.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Results were analyzed using SPSS software package, version 16.0. The values were analyzed by one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Duncan's multiple range test (DMRT).

RESULT: The result showed that depleted activities of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant level and significant elevated TBARS level were observed in DMBA group of plasma, mammary and liver tissues of experimental rats. The effects were dose.dependent and the above noted parameters were renovated to near normal after supplementation with different dose of POEet (150 mg, 300 mg and 600 mg/kg bwt). The data obtained from the study indicate that POEet at a dose of 600 mg/kg bwt possesses optimum anticancer effects against DMBA induced mammary carcinogenesis.

CONCLUSION: Based on the scientific appraisal, we conclude that the POEet is having a potent antioxidant capacity; thereby it offers maximum protection against DMBA-induced mammary carcinogenesis.