The Ecuadorian extract -BIRM- induces in vitro antitumor effects on CF41.Mg canine mammary carcinoma cells

Mammary tumors are the most frequent tumor disease in female dogs. Since conventional therapies as surgery and chemo are of partial utility, especially in histological high-grade carcinomas, are non-selective and can trigger potential adverse effects, it is necessary to study new and harmless antitumor treatment alternatives. Commercial herbal extract derived from Kalanchoi gastonis-bonnieri -BIRM- has been used empirically for cancer, however, there are few studies that reveal its antitumor potential. BIRM induces an antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic effect, mainly on androgen-dependent human prostate carcinoma cells. It attractive to analyze whether BIRM also induces antiproliferative effects on CF41.Mg canine mammary carcinoma cells, a cell line representative of high-grade mammary tumors. For this purpose, proliferation of CF41.Mg and non-tumorigenic MDCK cells were studied in the presence of herbal extract. In addition, the effect of BIRM on apoptosis and invasive ability of tumor cells was analyzed. BIRM decreased cell proliferation on both cell types, effects that were concentration dependent. Moreover, the extract induced apoptosis and a decrease in the invasiveness of CF41.Mg cells. In conclusion, BIRM triggers a non-selective antiproliferative effect on CF41.Mg cells, diminishing their invasion ability. These outcomes may support future clinical trials involving this plant extract in dogs with high-grade mammary carcinoma.