Baicalin; a promising chemopreventive agent, enhances the antitumor effect of 5-FU against breast cancer and inhibits tumor growth and angiogenesis in Ehrlich solid tumor

• Published in: Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy 2022-02, Vol.146, p.112599-112599, Article 112599
• Main Authors: Shehatta, Nisreen H., Okda, Tarek M., Omran, Gamal A., Abd-Alhaseeb, Mohammad M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 5-Fluorouracil; Angiogenesis; Apoptosis; Baicalin; Breast cancer; Ehrlich solid tumor
• ISSN: 0753-3322; 1950-6007
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112599

Despite considerable advances in cancer treatment, chemotherapy remains a cornerstone in breast cancer therapy. Therefore, reducing chemoresistance and adverse effects of chemotherapy is a priority. In this regard, Baicalin (BA) is the dominant natural flavonoid extracted from the roots of Scutellaria baicalensis showed fascinating antitumor activity in many types of cancers, including breast cancer. The present study aimed to explore the chemopreventive and antitumor action of baicalin alone and in combination with 5-FU in addition to its ability to enhance the antitumor effect of 5-FU on breast cancer using the Ehrlich solid tumor-mice model. A total of 70 female mice were divided into seven groups (1st group, saline group; 2nd group, DMSO group; 3rd group, BA+EST group; 4th group, EST group; 5th group, EST+5-FU; 6th group, EST+BA group; 7th group, EST+5-FU+BA).tumors were assessed by weight and histopathological examination. Inflammation, angiogenesis, and apoptosis were examined by ELISA, qRT-PCR, and immunohistochemical examinations. showed that pre-treatment with baicalin and treatment with baicalin and/or 5-FU significantly reduced inflammation and angiogenesis indicated by suppression of NF-kB/ IL-1β and VEGF amplification loop with marked elevation in apoptosis indicated by up-regulation of apoptotic caspase-3, pro-apoptotic p53, Bax and downregulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2. BA is a promising preventive or adjuvant therapy in breast cancer treatment with 5-FU mainly via cooperative inhibition of inflammation, angiogenesis, and triggering apoptotic cell death. [Display omitted] •Baicalin exhibited a chemo-preventive effect against breast cancer in Ehrlich solid model.•Baicalin enhance the anti-tumor effect of 5-fluorouracil against breast cancer in the Ehrlich solid model.•Baicalin and 5-fluorouracil combination showed a synergistic effect.•The combined treatment with Baicalin and 5-fluorouracil suppressed inflammation and angiogenesis.