Anticancer effects of Carica papaya in experimental induced mammary tumors in rats

To evaluate the anticancer effect of Carica papaya in DMBA induced mammary tumors in rats.

Wistar rats were divided in to five groups (n=6), Group-I (Normal control) administered vehicle olive oil, Group-II, Group-III, Group-IV and V induced mammary tumors by administering single dose of DMBA (7,12 Dimethyl benz(A)anthracene) orally 65 mg/kg. Group-III was administered aqueous leaf extract of Carica papaya (ALQECP) in a dose of 200 mg/kg body wt for a period of 3 months, group-IV has given ALQECP 200 mglkg body wt for a period of 21 days post 3 months of tumor induction, group-V rats were administered a small dose of Carica papaya extract intra tumor locally in the region of tumor.

Values of CA15-3 were increased in group-II rats (tumor control) significantly, whereas in group-III (prevention group) the levels of CA15-3 were found to be reduced substantially and the P value < 0.001. Similarly, CA-15-3 levels were reduced significantly in group-IV (treatment group)and P<0.005. The levels of LDH were seen to be increased in group-II, where as in group-III LDH levels were decreased and P<0.001. Similarly group-IV LDH levels also reduced significantly but not to the level of group-III.

Among the various markers for the detection of cancer antigen 15 (CAI5-3) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) are important biochemical parameters that give a clear understanding of the progression and proliferation of cancer cells. In this study it was found that there is increase in the levels of markers such as CA15-3 and LDH and also the tumor volume in tumor control, these marker levels were decreased by the administration of aqueous leaf extract of Carica papaya in a dose of 200 mg/kg body wt. ALQECP not only prevented the progression of cancer growth but also has significant effect in reducing the both CA15-3 and LDH levels in treatment group.