Antitumor potential of hydroethanolic extract of Neolamarckia cadamba on p53 expression and CA 15-3 levels in DMBA-induced mammary carcinoma in rats

Abstract

Neolamarckia cadamba has shown promising antitumor efficacy due to its rich phytoconstituents such as flavonoids, alkaloids, and triterpenoids, which are associated with antioxidant and anticancer activities. Studies suggest it may help suppress tumor growth by reducing oxidative stress, and influencing cellular proliferation pathways. This study aimed to evaluate the antitumor potential of the hydroethanolic extract of stem bark of Neolamarckia cadamba (HENC) by assessing p53 expression and Cancer Antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3) levels in 7,12-dimethylbenz anthracene (DMBA) induced mammary carcinoma in female Sprague Dawley rats. Mammary tumors were induced by a single subcutaneous dose of 7,12-dimethylbenz anthracene (DMBA) @ 20 mg/kg body weight. Animals were divided into five groups: normal control, positive control, standard treatment (tamoxifen @ 3.3 mg/kg body weight), and two treatment groups receiving hydroethanolic extract of Neolamarckia cadamba at 500 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg body weight respectively orally for 30 days. Serum CA 15-3 levels were measured using ELISA, while p53 expression in mammary tissue was evaluated by immunohistochemistry.