Tohoku J. Exp. Med., 2022 August, 257(4)

Epifriedelinol Ameliorates DMBA-Induced Breast Cancer in Albino Rats by Regulating the PI3K/AKT Pathway

Jing Zhang,^1,2 Yang He,³ Ying Zhou,^1,2 Liping Hong,⁴ Zhansheng Jiang,² Ying Zhao⁵ and Zhanyu Pan²

¹Department of Integrative Oncology, Tian Jin Cancer Hospital Airport Hospital, Tian Jin, China
²Department of Integrative Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer; Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin; Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer; Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, Tianjin, China
³Department of Breast Medical Oncology, Tian Jin Cancer Hospital Airport Hospital, Tian Jin, China
⁴Center for Precision Cancer Medicine & Translational Research, Tianjin Cancer Hospital Airport Hospital, Tian Jin, China
⁵Department of Breast Cancer I, Tian Jin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, Tian Jin, China

We evaluated the protective effect of epifriedelinol against breast cancer and postulated an underlying mechanism. Breast cancer was induced by a single dose of 50 mg/kg 7,12-Dimethylbenanthracene (DMBA), and rats were treated with 100 or 200 mg/kg (i.p.) epifriedelinol for 4 weeks. We then evaluated the effect of epifriedelinol on tumour growth, oxidative stress and serum inflammatory cytokine levels in DMBA-induced breast cancer. Protein and mRNA levels were determined using western blotting and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, respectively. The tumor volume and weight were significantly (p < 0.01) decreased in the epifriedelinol-treated group compared to the negative control group. Epifriedelinol decreased the altered levels of oxidative stress and serum inflammatory cytokines in rats with DMBA-induced breast cancer. Protein levels of PI3K, AKT and mTOR and mRNA levels of PI3K, AKT, Map3k1, Erbb2 and Pdk1 were decreased in the mammary tissue of epifriedelinol-treated rats with DMBA-induced breast cancer. Apoptosis was significantly induced in the epifriedelinol-treated group compared to the negative control group. In conclusion, epifriedelinol ameliorates DMBA-induced breast cancer by regulating the PI3K/AKT pathway.

Keywords —— apoptosis; breast cancer; epifriedelinol; inflammation; oxidative stress

© 2022 Tohoku University Medical Press

===============================

Tohoku J. Exp. Med 2022, 257, 283-289.

Correspondence: Zhanyu Pan, Department of Integrative Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer; Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin; Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer; Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy, No.1, Huanhu West Road, Tibei Road, Hexi District, Tianjin 300060, China.

e-mail: allen172046@163.com