Efficacy of Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq. Ex Fr.) P.kumm. on 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene induced mammary carcinogenesis in female Sprague-Dawley rats

Abstract

Neoplastic growth of the breast is the most common malignancy in women worldwide and its incidence has increased in most countries. In this study, we have evaluated the efficacy of Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq. Ex Fr.) P.kumm. (P. ostreatus) an edible mushroom on modulating levels of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes, hormonal status of estrogen and progesterone receptor (ER/PR), protein expressions and histopathological analysis in 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) induced mammary carcinogenesis using a rat model. DMBA was induced by single subcutaneous injection at a dosage of 25mg in 1mL vehicle. The ethanolic extract of P. ostreatus (POEet) was administered orally at a concentration of 600mg/kg bwt as pre- and post-initiation stage of treatment throughout the experimental period which was also compared with standard tamoxifen (TAM) (10mg/kg bwt). At the end of 16 weeks, our results showed the elevated phase I and depleted phase II metabolizing enzymes, over expression of (ER/PR) and the expression pattern of the proteins such as fas, fasL, caspase 3, caspase 8, caspase 9, Bax were found to be down regulated whereas p53, Bcl2, cox-2 and cyclin D1 were markedly upregulated in DMBA-induced Sprague-Dawley rats, which were significantly reversed on P. ostreatus administration. Moreover, pre-treatment with P. ostreatus showed improved response when compared to that of posttreatment. Based on scientific appraisal, we conclude that the dietary consumption of P. ostreatus might offer maximum protection against DMBA-induced mammary carcinogenesis and improving human health if used as a regular basis. Focal points•Benchside○ The potential of Pleurotus ostreatus on DMBA induced rat mammary carcinogenesis were determined by the analysis of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes, hormonal status of ER/PR, as well as the expression of protein using western blotting techniques and histological examination of liver and mammary tissues.•Bedside○ The pharmaceutical potential of P. ostreatus are analysed for is markedly available, edible one with high protein as well as fiber with low fat content and cost effective for patient convenience.•Industry○ Mushrooms are considered as a nutraceutical functional food which can contain enriched prolific produced of novel “mycochemicals” responsible for the human health potential on various diseases and malignancies.•Community○ Standardization and refinement of mycochemical from mushrooms were help to develop the new novel active compounds which contribute for better health and also help to reduce disease burden.•Regulatory agencies○ The P. ostreatus contain several bioactive compounds which might be the key factor for the anticancer effect. This will need to be taken for labeling and pattering the compounds and tested in clinical trials.