Histological Changes in Breast Tissue via the Expression of Her2, Cox-2 and Caspase 3 after the Administration of Zanthoxylum acanthopodium DC and Moringa oleifera Leaves

Rostime Simanullang, Masta Hutahaean, Jekson Siahaan, Calen , Kasrawati , Ganda Sigalingging, Hadiyanto Lim and Putri Situmorang

Background and Objective: Breast tissue may experience structural alterations due to variables including infection, illness, inflammation, or exposure to deleterious compounds, with 7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) being a prevalent carcinogen utilized in cancer research. Zanthoxylum acanthopodium DC and Moringa oleifera leaves possess anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. This study aimed to determine the expression of Her2, Cox-2 and Caspase 3 as markers of breast carcinoma after administration of Zanthoxylum acanthopodium DC and Moringa oleifera leaves. Materials and Methods: This study used 36 rats with 6 groups, namely C0: Normal mice, C^–: Only DMBA injection, C⁺: DMBA-injected rats+Doxorubicin, P1: DMBA-injected rats+Z. acanthopodium fruit, P2: DMBA-injected rats+100 mg/kg b.wt., of Moringa oleifera leaves and DMBA-injected rats+50 mg/kg b.wt., of Moringa oleifera leaves and 50 mg/kg b.wt., of Z. acanthopodium fruit orally for 30 days then dissected and breast tissue was taken for immunohistochemistry procedures. The non-parametric data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests with a significance level of p<0.05. Results: The DMBA injection into the mammary tissue increases Her2 expression, infiltrates the surrounding tissue, including the stroma and forms a solid tumor mass with ambiguous boundaries. Zanthoxylum acanthopodium and Moringa oleifera alone reduced damaged tissue, however, their combined action boosted breast tissue Her2 expression but did not lower Cox-2 or Caspase 3 scores. The expression of Cox-2 in group C^– differed significantly from P1 (p<0.05, p = 0.001). Conclusion: Zanthoxylum acanthopodium and Moringa oleifera enhanced Caspase 3, which promotes apoptosis in breast cancer cells. Nevertheless, each plant individually diminished Her2 and Cox-2 expression more effectively than the combination.

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