Anti-tumour efficacy of Musa paradisiaca flower extracts on DMBA induced Mammary carcinogenesis in female Wistar rats

Background Several reports have shown the beneficial advantages of Musa paradisiaca in wound healing activities and other ailments. Previously, our in vitro studies validated the anti-cancer activities of Musa flower extracts and confirmed the potential. This thread has led to our current investigation to explore the anticancer potential in vivo. Purpose This study focused on the efficacy of banana florets on DMBA induced breast cancer in female wistar rats. Methods Induction of tumour using Dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA) in female wistar rats. Hormonal, antioxidant and anticarcinogenic studies were performed in vivo. Results In our current study, we investigated that tumour induction has an effect in disrupting the estrous cycle in mice which may result by hormonal fluctuation levels. Antioxidant and hormonal analysis in vivo revealed the imbalance in estrogen and progesterone levels in untreated group compared to the treated ones. Floral crude extract treatment in vivo has shrunken the tumour volume in flower extract treatment group as well as in standard drug compared to the control. Histopathological staining confirms the disruption of epithelial tissues in tumour induced groups compared to the treated ones. Moreover, Musa floral treatment has shown to revert the damaged tissue morphology in the treated groups compared to the saline treated one. In-vitro studies in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines has shown the potent anti-tumorigenic activity using Musa floral extracts. Conclusion Taken together, our finding confirmed that banana flower extracts showcase anti-carcinogenic activity against breast cancer both in vitro and in vivo. Tumour induction in mice has an effect in showing the disruption of estrous cycles. Highlights Musa paradisiaca crude ethanolic flower extracts have a potential in reducing the tumour growth. DMBA induced cancer has a deleterious effect on estrogen cycles in female wistar rats. Disruption of epithelial morphology was observed in tumour induced wistar rats. Treatment with crude Musa flower extracts on cancer induced rats shows the reduced level of damage and oxidative stress compared to the no treatment group.