Modulatory Effects of Concanavalin A and D 609 on Apoptotic Markers in Dimethylbenz (a) anthracene induced Breast Cancer in Rats

The present study was conducted to evaluate the chemopreventive efficacy and modulatory effects of concanavalin A and D609; either individually or in combination, on some apoptotic markers in Dimethylbenz (a) anthracene (DBMA) induced breast cancer in rats. Breast cancer was induced in adult female albino rats by injection of DMBA (50 mg/kg b. wt.). After 15 weeks, animals and divided into four groups. One group did not receive any treatment and served as a tumor group. The other three groups were injected with concanavalin A (of 20 mg/kg b. wt.) or D609 (50 mg / kg b. wt.) or both components together for a period of 8 weeks. At the end of experimental period, animals of control and treated groups were sacrificed and samples of breast tissues were obtained and prepared for analysis of the apoptotic markers Bcl-2 (B -cell leukemia/ lymphoma 2), Bim (BcL2 interacting mediator), Bax (Bcl-2 associated X protein), Caspase 9, and Caspase 3. The results exhibited highly significant changes in apoptotic markers in cancer group as compared to normal control group, mainly represented by the increased levels of Bcl-2 and decreased levels of Bim, Bax and caspases 3 and 9. On the other hand, concanavalin A and D609 treatments induced significant modulatory effects on these markers. They induced significant decrease in Bcl-2 levels and increase in Bim, Bax and caspases 3 and 9 levels in all treated groups as compared to the DBMA-tumor group. These ameliorative changes were highly significant in the group of animals exposed to co-treatment of both materials. To conclude: the present study provides evidence that concanavalin A and D609 enhance apoptotic activity in DMBA-induced breast cancer in rats and suggests that the use of combination of the two therapies is recommended in the treatment of breast cancer.