Anti-Cancer Role of Cassia alata Leaf Extract in a Rat Model of Lung Cancer

: Lung cancer was diagnosed in 2.09 million people and killed 1.76 million globally in 2018, making it the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in men and the second leading cause in women. Rats were categorized into four groups (10 rats/each), including Control (CTRL) group, the Ethyl carbamate (EC) group, the Ethyl carbamate+ Cassia alata leaves extract (EC+CALE) treated group, and the Ethyl carbamate + Cisplatin (EC+CIS) treated group. Lung index estimation, histological, biochemical, and molecular assays were done. The lung index was significantly increased in the EC group, but after treatment with CALE, the lung index decreased. Hematoxylin & Eosin stain showed the development of lung cancerous lesions in the epithelial lining of terminal bronchioles, CALE treated group provided more or less restoration of normal lung histology with no tumor mass observed. Also, CALE treatment restored the changes in glutathione, superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde, and wild-type epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) - mRNA expression levels in lung tissues after treatment of lung cancer-bearing rats with CALE. The current study showed that Cassia alata leaves extract could be used as a new source of natural agents fighting lung cancer.