Potential of Neolamarckia cadamba in modulating cancer-associated anemia and biochemical imbalances in mammary tumor rats

Breast cancer is a leading type of cancer in both humans and animals, highlighting the need for safer and more effective treatment alternatives. Neolamarckia cadamba (NC), a medicinal plant known for its bioactive compounds, has demonstrated potential anticancer properties. This study evaluates the effects of Neolamarckia cadamba on hematological and biochemical parameters in rats with mammary tumors induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA). In this study, female Sprague Dawley rats were divided into five groups (n=6). Group T1 served as the control, while T2 was the tumor control. Mammary tumors were induced in the rats using a single subcutaneous dose of DMBA at 20 mg/kg. Group T3 received a standard treatment with tamoxifen, while groups T4 and T5 were administered Neolamarckia cadamba at doses of 400 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg, respectively. The study assessed various hematological parameters including hemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell count (RBC), and mean corpuscular volume (MCV). Additionally, biochemical markers such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total protein (TP), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were analyzed. The results showed that T4 (NC at 400 mg/kg) significantly improved hematological parameters compared to T2 (the tumor control) and T3 (the tamoxifen treatment), demonstrating better restoration of Hb, PCV, and RBC counts. In terms of biochemical parameters, both T4 and T5 showed comparable effectiveness, successfully reducing ALT, AST, and BUN levels while keeping TP within normal ranges. These findings suggest that Neolamarckia cadamba at a dose of 400 mg/kg exhibits notable hematoprotective effects and effectively modulate biochemical markers in rats with mammary tumors. The comparable efficacy of Neolamarckia cadamba in the biochemical parameters further supports its potential as a complementary therapeutic agent. Overall, these results highlight Neolamarckia cadamba as a promising natural alternative for breast cancer management, warranting further investigation into its molecular mechanisms and clinical applications.