Quercetin in Dimethyl Benzanthracene Induced Breast Cancer in Rats

Abstract

Problem statement: Vincristine a commonly used anticancer agent in th e treatment of breast cancer results in serious adverse effects li ke teratogenicity, neurotoxicity and carcinogenicit y on long term use. Drug resistance is also a common pro blem encountered with vincristine. Hence the effect of flavonol quercetin, a known antioxidant w ith no known documented adverse effect was tried in treatment of DMBA induced breast cancer in female rats and its effect was compared with vincristine. Approach: Quercetin at the dose of 50, 100-200 mg kg -1 body weight was administered in DMBA induced breast cancer in female wistar rats and its effects were compared with Vincristine. The anti oxidant enzymes, catalase, glutathione peroxid ase and superoxide dismutase and Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS) level in cancerous breast tissue, TBARS and catalase in plasma and superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in erythrocyte lysate were estimated. Results: Quercetin supplementation at the dose of 100 mg kg -1 body weight was most effective in alleviating cancer symptoms and was comparable to vincristine. The plasma TBARS were reduced and breast tissue TBARS were elevated. The antioxidant enzymes were rejuvenated by quercetin supplementation at all three dose levels. Conclusion: Quercetin is found to be an effective chemotherape utic agent in the treatment of breast cancer on par with vincrist ine. Being a plant product, quercetin can also be u sed in chemoprophylaxis in high risk individuals with g enetic predisposition towards breast cancer. Besides, it can be given orally and has a wide marg in of safety.