Myrtenal downregulates hormonal receptors in DMBA induced mammary carcinoma in Sprague-Dawley rats

Myrtenal, a natural phytocompound, has shown promising biological activities, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which could be beneficial in modulating cancer-related pathways. This study evaluates the dose-dependent effects of myrtenal on the immunoexpression pattern of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2/neu), in the mammary tissues of mammary tumor bearing Sprague-Dawley rats. This study induced mammary carcinoma in Sprague-Dawley rats by injecting a single subcutaneous injection of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA; 25 mg/kg body weight) in the mammary gland. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that all the three hormonal receptors were overexpressed in breast tissues of rats treated with DMBA alone. Oral administration of myrtenal at different doses (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight) resulted in dose-dependent downregulation. These findings suggest that myrtenal has shown potent anticancer effect by modulating the expression of receptors in DMBA induced triple positive breast cancer.