Poster Presentation 14th International Biennial Conference on Metastasis Research 2012

Aloe vera and honey solution and ethanolic fraction decrease metastatic process in Walker 256 tumour-bearing rats.  (#199)

Rebeka Tomasin 1 , Maria CC Gomes-Marcondes 1
  1. State University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil

Metastasis is responsible for up than 90% of all cancer deaths (WHO, 2008). The cancer cells ability to detach from the primary tumour depends on several cell features, such as matrix degradation capacity and motility and also tumour microenvironment features, including vascularization (OPPENHEIMER, 2006; FURUYA et al., 2009). Researches have shown that both Aloe vera and honey have anticancer properties, including metastasis inhibition (AKEV et al., 2007; HE et al., 2008; SWELLAM et al., 2003). Since our previous results have shown that treatment with Aloe vera and honey solution (AH) or ethanolic fraction (F) can increase the survival time in tumour-bearing rats, the present study aims to evaluate whether these treatments could modulate the pro-invasive features of primary tumours in rats. Wistar rats received tumour implant, subcutaneously (2x10e6 tumour viable cells/inoculation) and AH or F intragastric administration; following three groups: W=tumour-bearing untreated, WAH=tumour-bearing treated with AH daily, WF=tumour-bearing treated with F daily. After 21 days, the rats were sacrificed. The analysis showed that tumour size (relative weight, %) decreased in WAH tumours compared to W, while WF presented intermediary values (W=18.01±1.49, WAH=10.46±2.06, F=13.96±1.81). Although the presence of invadopodia (% of cells coexpressing MT1-MMP and Integrinβ1, accessed by immunofluorescence) had shown no difference between the groups (W=23.75±6.43, WAH=25.43±6.79, F=17.01±4.09), the number of blood vessels and also their diameter significantly decreased in WAH and WF compared to W (number of vessels in 12μm2: W=68.67±16.85, WAH=10.67±1.79, F=23.44±5.83; vessel diameter (μm): W=29.50±2.04, WAH=12.70±0.09, F=21.35±2.47). The metalloproteinase-2 activity, accessed by gelatin zymography, showed strong activity in W group, but lacked in both treated WAH and WF tumours. These data suggest that AH or F treatment could reduce the metastatic process, especially modulating the neoangiogenesis process. Studies are now undergoing to elucidate additional mechanisms and also the role of AH and F on metastasis establishment.

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