The Protective Potential of Ethanol Extract of Mango Peel on Nitrosomethylurea-Induced Mammary Hyperplasia in Female Rats

Aims: Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women and Mammary gland hyperplasia is a frequent noninflammatory, nontumor condition that affects women of childbearing age. This syndrome is responsible for 75% of all breast diseases. The study investigated the effect of mango peel ethanol extract on mammary gland hyperplasia using Wistar rats induced with N-nitromethylurea Methodology: Standard methods were used to analyze the proximate, mineral and vitamin composition of the mango peel extracts. In the in vivo study, 30 female Wistar rats were used for this study and were grouped into control and treatment groups (200 mg/kg body weight and 400 mg/kg body weight) for a period of 28 days. Liver and kidney function, In vivo enzymatic and non – enzymatic compounds present in breast tissues were evaluated as well as the histopathological evaluation of the mammary gland. Results: The results showed that mango peel extract had a moisture content of 9.97%, ash content of 4.51 %, crude fiber of 60.45%, and crude protein content of 4.65%. The minerals present were iron, sodium, zinc, and calcium. Calcium and sodium levels were significantly higher than other minerals (822 and 328 ppm respectively). Vitamin content ranged between 0.102 mg/100g for vitamin A and 0.456 mg/100g for vitamin B2 and 0.10 mg/100g for vitamin B9. The in vivo study result showed a significant increase (P <0.05) in MDA levels in NMU control group, while normal control group and MPE treated groups had a significantly lower MDA level. The antioxidant activity of the MPE in the female rats was also analyzed in these enzymes; Superoxide dismutase, Glutathione S-transferase, reduced glutathione and catalase. It was observed in the results that the level of antioxidants enzyme activity in the female rats treated with NMU was lower while the control and treatments group had a significantly higher dose dependent antioxidant enzymatic activity with 400mg/kg body weight MPE showing higher values at (P < 0.05). Histopathology evaluation on the mammary gland was also carried out to fully understand the effects of NMU on the mammary gland of the female rats. Findings from the study showed inflammation in the NMU only group while normal breast tissues were observed in the control and treatment groups. Conclusion: This study showed that the ethanol extract of mango peel has notable mammary gland protective effects in female rats with NMU-induced mammary gland hyperplasia and this effect could be attributed to the ability of mango peel to increase antioxidant enzyme levels in the treated groups.