Targeting TNF-α/NF-κB driven Anticancer Efficacy of Saussurea costus (Falc.) Lipsch Root Ethanolic Extract in DMBA-induced Mammary Tumourigenesis in Sprague-Dawley Rats: A Preliminary Therapeutic Study
TL;DR
The therapeutic action of SL root extract was demonstrated by the inhibition of tumour parameters, reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines, and a decline in gross and histomorphological changes in an in vivo rat model.
Abstract
Saussurea costus (Kuth) is a plant of the Himalayas, known for notable ethnopharmacological properties with no side effects. In our previous research, we studied the chemopreventive efficacy of Saussurea costus root extract (SL). Continuing the previous study, the current investigation was planned to assess the therapeutic antitumor effects of Saussurea costus root extract (SL) using in vivo experimentation. A total of 32 female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into four groups, i.e. group I (vehicle control), group II (DMBA @ 25 mg/Kg bw), group III (DMBA + cyclophosphamide @ 25 mg/Kg bw), and group IV (therapeutic group, received SL extract @ 500 mg/Kg bw). The therapeutic action of SL root extract was demonstrated by the inhibition of tumour parameters, reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α and NF-κB, and a decline in gross and histomorphological changes in an in vivo rat model. The therapeutic effect of SL root extract is attributed to dehydrocostus lactone and costunolide, which prevent oxidative stress-induced changes in tumour progression. The use of the bioactive constituents present in the roots of Saussurea costus needs to be validated against mammary tumours along with the exploration of molecular pathways.