Chemopreventive potential of ferulic acid in 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced mammary carcinogenesis in Sprague-Dawley rats

Aim of the present study was to investigate the chemopreventive potential of ferulic acid on 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) induced mammary carcinogenesis in Sprague-Dawley rats. The chemopreventive potential of ferulic acid was assessed by monitoring the tumor incidence, as well as analyzing the status of biochemical (enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants and phase II detoxification enzymes) and molecular (p53 and bcl-2) markers during DMBA-induced mammary carcinogenesis. Mammary carcinogenesis was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by providing a single subcutaneous injection of 25 mg of DMBA in 1 ml emulsion of sunflower oil (0.75 ml) and physiological saline (0.25 ml) to each rat. Oral administration of ferulic acid at a dose of 40 mg/kg body weight to rats treated with DMBA significantly prevented the tumor formation in 80% of animals (8/10). Also, oral administration of ferulic acid significantly protected the biochemical and molecular abnormalities in DMBA treated rats. Although the exact mechanism for the chemopreventive potential of ferulic acid in DMBA-induced mammary carcinogenesis is unclear, its antigenotoxic and antioxidant potential as well as modulatory effect on phase II detoxification cascade could play a possible role. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.