Abstract
BackgroundGinkgo biloba extract (GbE) is used extensively by breast cancer patients undergoing treatment with Tamoxifen (TAM). Thus, the present study investigated the effects of GbE in female Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats bearing chemically-induced mammary tumors and receiving TAM.MethodsAnimals bearing mammary tumors (≥1 cm in diameter) were divided into four groups: TAM [10 mg/kg, intragastrically (i.g.)], TAM plus GbE [50 and 100 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (i.p.)] or an untreated control group. After 4 weeks, the therapeutic efficacy of the different treatments was evaluated by measuring the tumor volume (cm3) and the proportions of each tumor that were alive, necrotic or degenerative (mm2). In addition, labeling indexes (LI%) were calculated for cell proliferation (PCNA LI%) and apoptosis (cleaved caspase-3 LI%), expression of estrogen receptor-alpha (ER-α) and p63 biomarkers.ResultsOverall, the tumor volume and the PCNA LI% within live tumor areas were reduced by 83% and 99%, respectively, in all TAM-treated groups when compared to the untreated control group. GbE treatment (100 mg/kg) reduced the proportions of live (24.8%) and necrotic areas (2.9%) (p = 0.046 and p = 0.038, respectively) and significantly increased the proportion of degenerative areas (72.9%) (p = 0.004) in mammary tumors when compared to the group treated only with TAM. The expression of ER-α, p63 and cleaved caspase-3 in live tumor tissues was not modified by GbE treatment.ConclusionsCo-treatment with 100 mg/kg GbE presented a slightly beneficial effect on the therapeutic efficacy of TAM in female SD rats bearing mammary tumors.
Highlights
Ginkgo biloba extract (GbE) is used extensively by breast cancer patients undergoing treatment with Tamoxifen (TAM)
General observations Food and water consumption, body weight gain, relative liver, kidney and ovarian weights and serum levels of Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and E2 did not differ among the different groups after 4 weeks of treatment with TAM and/or GbE (Table 1)
The liver, kidney and ovaries did not present significant histopathological alterations associated with the different treatments
Summary
Ginkgo biloba extract (GbE) is used extensively by breast cancer patients undergoing treatment with Tamoxifen (TAM). The most common therapeutic strategies for breast cancer, including excision surgery (mastectomy), radiotherapy, chemotherapy, monoclonal antibodies and endocrine therapies, impact on women’s quality of life [4]. As an endocrine adjuvant therapy, anti-estrogenic drugs target the estrogen receptor (ER)-dependent intracellular response by directly binding to and inhibiting ERs (Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators, SERMs) or by down-regulating the Popular interest in CAM has grown rapidly over the past decade in the western world [12]. The use of herbal or ‘natural’ drugs is rapidly growing, most of these promising therapies remain poorly understood, and limited scientific evidence regarding their efficacy and safety is available [16]. Preclinical and clinical studies are necessary to evaluate the safety and efficacy of each CAM alone and/or in combination with prescription drug therapies
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