Anticancer Mechanism of Melia azedarach, Doxorubicin and Cyclosphamide Combination against Breast Cancer in Mice

Background: Previous studies show that Mindi (Melia azedarach) has a potent cytotoxicity effect on MCF-7 via induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. However its mechanism has not been established. This study was performed to determine the anti-cancer activity of Melia azedarach, doxorubicin, and cyclosphamide combination and to elucidate the underlying mechanism of this activity in mice. Study design and methods: This was an experimental study with a posttest control group design. Twenty four C3H mice inoculated with adenocarsinoma mammary were divided into four groups receiving one of the following treatment: Aquadest,combination of doxorubicin and cyclosphamide (dox-cyc); Melia azedarach, doxorubicin, cyclosphamide (MA-dox-cyc) combination; Melia azedarach alone (MA) respectively. BAX expression was determined by Immunohistochemistry. Results and conclusion: A significant decrease in tumor volume was found in combination group. This decrease might have been due to the significant increase is in BAX expression and decrease in AgNOR expression compared with that of control (p <0.05). In conclusion, the combination of Melia azedarach, doxorubicin, cyclosphamide can decrease volume of adenocarsinoma mammary tumors in C3H mice via BAX expression increasing and decreasing AgNOR expression. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.16(3) 2017 p.428-432