Scholars International Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine (SIJTCM)
Volume-6 | Issue-10 | 149-160
Original Research Article
Zerumbone (ZER), a Potential Anticancer for Breast Mediates Cancer Cell Death Through Targeting β-catenin Signaling Pathway in Tumor Regression in Sprague Dawley Rat Mammary Gland Tumors
Ismail Adam Arbab, Dalia Younis Adam Haroon, Salah Eldeen H. Abdlrazig, Fath Elrahman Abaid Alla Ali, Daralsalalam Essmael Mohammed, Awad Salim Ibrahim Holy, Mohamed Qaje Adan, Mohamed A. Bakr
Published : Dec. 2, 2023
Abstract
Background & Objective: Canonical WNT/Wingless pathway regulates expression of target genes by modulating intracellular β-catenin leading to cancer growth and survival. Here, we studied inhibition of β-catenin using zerumbone (ZER) or β-catenin-siRNA in Sprague-Dawley rat cancer model. Methodology: Rat mammary gland tumor model was induced with the wild-type LA7 breast cancer cell line or β-catenin-knockdown-LA7 cells. LA7-rats were treated with ZER or β-catenin-siRNA as a positive control and the levels of β-catenin expression and its target gene were assessed using real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry and TUNEL assay. Results: We found good correlation between β-catenin inhibition and induction of apoptosis when using ZER or β-catenin-siRNA. In this aspect, ZER and β-catenin-siRNA inhibited cellular proliferation as reflected by reduced growth of breast cancer and apoptosis induction in rat mammary gland tumor. Further, our studies demonstrate that treatment with ZER and β-catenin-siRNA affected β-catenin-dependent gene expression. β-catenin downregulation by ZER or knockdown by β-catenin-siRNA improves the morphological and histological feature of the breast tissues as confirmed by subtle changes of the genes involved in cell-apoptotic pathways. Conclusion: This indicates that ZER targets similarly to β-catenin-siRNA and possibly be a useful anti-breast cancer by affecting expression of down-stream targets that are key components in cancer development. ZER can be a promising anticancer candidate for treatment of breast.