Histological Changes in Breast Tissue via the Expression of Her2, Cox-2 and Caspase 3 after the Administration of Zanthoxylum acanthopodium DC and Moringa oleifera Leaves.

Abstract

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Breast tissue may experience structural alterations due to variables including infection, illness, inflammation, or exposure to deleterious compounds, with 7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) being a prevalent carcinogen utilized in cancer research. <i>Zanthoxylum acanthopodium</i> DC and <i>Moringa oleifera</i> leaves possess anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. This study aimed to determine the expression of Her2, Cox-2 and Caspase 3 as markers of breast carcinoma after administration of <i>Zanthoxylum acanthopodium</i> DC and <i>Moringa oleifera</i> leaves. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> This study used 36 rats with 6 groups, namely C0: Normal mice, C: Only DMBA injection, C⁺: DMBA-injected rats+Doxorubicin, P1: DMBA-injected rats+<i>Z. acanthopodium</i> fruit, P2: DMBA-injected rats+100 mg/kg b.wt., of <i>Moringa oleifera</i> leaves and DMBA-injected rats+50 mg/kg b.wt., of <i>Moringa oleifera</i> leaves and 50 mg/kg b.wt., of <i>Z. acanthopodium</i> fruit orally for 30 days then dissected and breast tissue was taken for immunohistochemistry procedures. The non-parametric data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests with a significance level of p<0.05. <b>Results:</b> The DMBA injection into the mammary tissue increases Her2 expression, infiltrates the surrounding tissue, including the stroma and forms a solid tumor mass with ambiguous boundaries. <i>Zanthoxylum acanthopodium</i> and <i>Moringa oleifera</i> alone reduced damaged tissue, however, their combined action boosted breast tissue Her2 expression but did not lower Cox-2 or Caspase 3 scores. The expression of Cox-2 in group C differed significantly from P1 (p<0.05, p = 0.001). <b>Conclusion:</b> <i>Zanthoxylum acanthopodium</i> and <i>Moringa oleifera</i> enhanced Caspase 3, which promotes apoptosis in breast cancer cells. Nevertheless, each plant individually diminished Her2 and Cox-2 expression more effectively than the combination.