The therapeutic effects of Physalis alkekengi hydroalcoholic extract on estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer mice model: possible role of autophagy in this therapeutic response

Background and aims: Although some preclinical and clinical studies have extensively confirmed the pharmacological effects of the hydroalcoholic extract (HE) of Physalis alkekengi on several diseases, little is known about the effects of P. alkekengi HE (PAHE) on breast cancer. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of PAHE on estrogen receptor+ breast cancer. Methods: To this end, tumors were created in mice by injecting MC4L2 cells into the sternum of the mice. Then, the animals were gavaged for 16 days at 10, 50, and 100 mg/kg daily of PAHE. In addition, the tumor growth and body weight of the mice were measured on the 16th day, and they were killed on 21st day. Finally, their tumor tissues were removed and the apoptotic cell tissue and expression of the ATG-5 gene were studied as well. The experiments were repeated three times, and the data were analyzed using SPSS software (P<0.001 and P<0.05). Results: The average body weight of the control group significantly decreased 16 days after tumor establishment (P<0.001). Further, the PAHE inhibited the growth of the breast cancer tumor in higher doses (50 & 100 mg/kg, P<0.001). Based on the results, a significant histopathological alteration was found in the breast tumors of the PAHE-treated groups compared with the control group, including the decreased level of mitotic cells the intensive level of necrotic cells and lymphocyte infiltration into the breast tumors bearing mice 21 days after PAHE administration (P=0.012). Eventually, PAHE significantly increased the mRNA level of the expression of the autophagy ATG-5 specific gene in the effective dosage-treated group (50 mg/kg, P=0.037). Conclusion: The evidence suggests that the PAHE has a suitable efficacy for the treatment of ER+ breast cancer by promoting autophagy mechanisms into these tumor types