Chemopreventive potential of ferulic acid in 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced mammary carcinogenesis in Sprague–Dawley rats

Aim of the present study was to investigate the chemopreventive potential of ferulic acid on 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) induced mammary carcinogenesis in Sprague–Dawley rats. The chemopreventive potential of ferulic acid was assessed by monitoring the tumor incidence, as well as analyzing the status of biochemical (enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants and phase II detoxification enzymes) and molecular (p53 and bcl-2) markers during DMBA-induced mammary carcinogenesis. Mammary carcinogenesis was induced in Sprague–Dawley rats by providing a single subcutaneous injection of 25 mg of DMBA in 1 ml emulsion of sunflower oil (0.75 ml) and physiological saline (0.25 ml) to each rat. Oral administration of ferulic acid at a dose of 40 mg/kg body weight to rats treated with DMBA significantly prevented the tumor formation in 80% of animals (8/10). Also, oral administration of ferulic acid significantly protected the biochemical and molecular abnormalities in DMBA treated rats. Although the exact mechanism for the chemopreventive potential of ferulic acid in DMBA-induced mammary carcinogenesis is unclear, its antigenotoxic and antioxidant potential as well as modulatory effect on phase II detoxification cascade could play a possible role.