Shemamruthaa, herbal formulation modulates xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes and energy metabolism in 7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced breast cancer in rats

There is an increasing interest in identifying naturally occurring potent preventive and therapeutic agents for cancer. Shemamruthaa, a phytochemical formulation was evaluated for the first time with a view to potentiate more intense anticancer property. Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats (8-week-old) were used for the study and were divided into 4 Groups. Group I control animals received standard pellet diet and water ad libitum. Group II animals were induced for mammary carcinoma with a single oral dose of 25 mg of DMBA, whereas another set of DMBA-induced rats were treated with SM (400 mg/kg body weight/day) orally by gastric intubation for 14 days after 3 months of induction period (Group III). Group IV animals served as SM-control. The status xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes, glycolytic and gluconeogenic enzymes were analysed in control and experimental rats. Our findings revealed that the SM formulation has potential to induce Phase-II enzyme activities, associated mainly with carcinogen detoxification and inhibit the Phase I enzyme activities. The activities of glycolytic and gluconeogenic enzymes were significantly brought back to near normal levels in SM treated animals. The results demonstrated unequivocally the effect of SM on inhibition of tumor progression by altering xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes and restoring energy metabolism.