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Hesa-A Down-Regulates erb/b2 Oncogene Expression and Improves Outcome of Oral Carcinoma in a Rat Model
Mehran Mesgari Abbasi1, Masoumeh Mehdipour, Amir Monfaredan
1Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
Background:
Oral carcinoma (OC) remains one of the most difficult malignancies to cure. Hesa-A is an Iranian herbal-marine compound that has shown promising anti-tumor properties against various human tumors. However, its mechanism of action remains to be addressed. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of two doses of Hesa-A on mRNA expression of erb\b2 as a main prognosticator tumor marker for OC in an animal model.
Materials And Methods:
A total of 60 rats were randomly divided into 5 groups of 12 animals each. Rats in carcinoma groups received 0, 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight doses of Hesa-A 3 times a day. The other two groups were considered as treated and untreated control groups. At the end of the experiment, animals were sacrificed and tongue tissues subjected to H and E staining and real time PCR.
Results:
Our results showed that compared to the control group, erb\ b2 was over-expressed ~ 30% in the carcinoma group. After treatment with 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg body weight of Hesa-A , erb\b2 levels dropped by 24.1% and 3.4 % respectively compared to the control carcinoma group (p<0.01, p<0.0001). Moreover, there was a significant relation between erb\ b2 mRNA content and observed pathological changes in studied groups (p<0.05).
Conclusions:
These data provide insight into mechanism(s) by which Hesa-A may improve clinical outcome of oral carcinoma by affecting oncogene erb\b2 expression and suggest Hesa-A as an effective chemotherapeutic agent in treatment of HER+ tumors.
Insights
Hesa-A, an Iranian herbal-marine compound, reduced erb\b2 oncogene expression in oral carcinoma models. This suggests Hesa-A may be an effective treatment for HER2-positive oral cancers.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Oral carcinoma (OC) presents significant treatment challenges.
- Hesa-A, a novel Iranian herbal-marine compound, exhibits anti-tumor potential.
- The precise mechanism of Hesa-A's anti-cancer effects requires elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of two Hesa-A doses on erb\b2 mRNA expression in an oral carcinoma animal model.
- To assess Hesa-A's potential as a therapeutic agent for oral cancer.
Main Methods:
- Sixty rats were allocated into five groups, including control and varying Hesa-A dosage groups (250 and 500 mg/kg).
- Oral carcinoma was induced, and Hesa-A was administered orally.
- Tongue tissues were analyzed using H&E staining and real-time PCR to quantify erb\b2 mRNA levels.
Main Results:
- Erb\b2 was over-expressed by approximately 30% in the oral carcinoma group compared to controls.
- Hesa-A treatment at 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg significantly reduced erb\b2 expression by 24.1% and 3.4%, respectively (p<0.01, p<0.0001).
- A significant correlation was observed between erb\b2 mRNA levels and pathological changes (p<0.05).
Conclusions:
- Hesa-A influences oral carcinoma progression by modulating the expression of the oncogene erb\b2.
- These findings support Hesa-A's potential as a chemotherapeutic agent for HER2-positive (HER+) oral tumors.
- Hesa-A warrants further investigation for its clinical application in oral cancer treatment.
