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Astaxanthin as an Anticancer Agent against Breast Cancer: An In Vivo and In Vitro Investigation
Maryam Shokrian Zeini1, Seyyed Mohammad Pakravesh2, Seyed Mostafa Jalili Kolour3
1Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, United States.
Aim:
This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant properties, cytotoxic activity, and apoptotic effects of astaxanthin (ASX) on genes and pathways involved in breast cancer in Balb/c mice models injected with the 4T1 cell line.
Background:
ASX could inhibit some tumor progression by using in vivo and in vitro models.
Objective:
The effect of ASX on breast cancer was not fully understood till now.
Method:
In an in vivo model, 4T1 cells-injected mice were administered with different concentrations of ASX (100 and 200 mg/kg), and histopathological evaluations were done using an optical microscope and the hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. The real- time PCR investigated the expression levels of B-cell lymphoma 2-associated X (Bax), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), and Caspase 3 genes in mice treated with 100 and 200 mg/kg ASX. Also, the level of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were examined in ASX-treated cancer mice.
Results:
ASX (200 mg/kg) caused a significant reduction in the mitotic cell count of tumor tissues compared to ASX (100 mg/kg). The antiproliferative effects of different concentrations of ASX were shown based on the MTT results. The treatment of breast tumor mice with both concentrations of ASX, especially 200 mg/kg, elevated the expression of Caspase 3, Bax, and SOD enzyme levels and decreased Bcl-2 expression and MDA enzyme levels.
Conclusion:
ASX can be considered a promising alternative treatment for breast cancer.
Insights
Astaxanthin (ASX) shows promise in fighting breast cancer by reducing tumor cell growth and altering key gene expressions. This natural compound may offer a new therapeutic avenue for breast cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology and Toxicology
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Astaxanthin (ASX) demonstrates potential in inhibiting tumor progression through in vivo and in vitro models.
- The precise mechanisms by which ASX affects breast cancer remain incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antioxidant properties, cytotoxic activity, and apoptotic effects of astaxanthin (ASX).
- To evaluate the impact of ASX on genes and pathways critical to breast cancer development in a mouse model.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an in vivo mouse model injected with 4T1 breast cancer cells.
- Administered varying concentrations of ASX (100 and 200 mg/kg) and performed histopathological analysis.
- Assessed gene expression of Bax, Bcl-2, and Caspase 3, alongside SOD and MDA levels via real-time PCR and biochemical assays.
Main Results:
- Higher ASX concentration (200 mg/kg) significantly reduced mitotic cell count in tumor tissues.
- ASX exhibited antiproliferative effects, as confirmed by MTT assays.
- Treatment with ASX, particularly at 200 mg/kg, upregulated Bax, Caspase 3, and SOD, while downregulating Bcl-2 and MDA.
Conclusions:
- Astaxanthin exhibits significant antioxidant and anti-cancer properties in a preclinical breast cancer model.
- ASX demonstrates potential as a therapeutic agent by inducing apoptosis and reducing tumor proliferation.
- Further research into astaxanthin as a breast cancer treatment is warranted.
