Exploring the Chemopreventive and Antioxidant Effects of Spearmint Leaf Hydroethanolic Extract in HPV16-transgenic Mice.

Background/aim: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infectious agent and, in cases of persistent infection, may cause cancer. This study evaluated the toxicological and antitumor properties of Mentha spicata extract (MSE) in KP14HPV16 mice, which carry HPV16 oncogenes.

Materials and methods: Thirty-three female FVB/n mice (Mus musculus), including 17 HPV-transgenic and 16 wild-type (WT) mice, were divided into six groups. The control groups received tap water (WT-C, n=5, and HPV-C, n=6), while the treatment groups received either 0.50 mg/ml MSE (WT-50 and HPV-50, n=6) or 0.55 mg/ml MSE (WT-55 and HPV-55, n=5) in drinking water for 28 days. Afterwards, animals were sacrificed, and blood and organs were collected for histopathological and biochemical analysis.

Results: The main phenolic compounds in MSE were rosmarinic acid and luteolin-O-glucoronide. MSE did not significantly affect weight gain in WT mice; however, WT-55 gained significantly more weight than HPV-55. MSE demonstrated antioxidant activity as indicated by the modulation of hepatic superoxide dismutase and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity, as well as renal GST activity, in MSE-treated HPV groups. MSE did not reduce histological lesion incidence or systemic inflammation in HPV16-transgenic mice.

Conclusion: In general, while MSE was safe and exhibited antioxidant activity, it did not significantly impact HPV16-induced lesions, warranting further research to assess systemic effects with different concentrations and durations.