Investigation of the anticancer effect of bornyl acetate in the ehrlich solid tumor model

Cancer is a pathological process characterized by uncontrolled cell growth, local tissue invasion and metastasis. Experimental tumors are of great importance for modeling purposes in cancer research and the Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) model is widely used in this field. Inhibition of oncogenic proteins and activation of antiproliferative proteins are targeted in studies aimed at the discovery of biotherapeutics and enhancing the efficacy of existing chemotherapeutics. In recent years, there has been a move towards tumor-targeted direct drug therapy to suppress malignancy. Helichrysum armenium is among the endemic species of our country, which is rich in medicinal and aromatic plants. Bornyl acetate (BA) obtained from the flower and leaf parts of the plant is known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the anticancer effect of BA according to the route of administration [intraperitoneal (i.p.) and subcutaneous (s.c.)], dose (50 and 100 mg/kg) and duration (21 days and 10 days) in comparison with the positive control 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) in EAC solid tumor model for the first time. Sixteen groups were formed with 5 Balb/c female mice in the control group and 10 in the experimental group. EAC cells were injected subcutaneously into Balb/c female mice. Doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg of BA were administered for 21 days and 10 days in comparison with 50 mg/kg of 5-FU. At the end of the 21st day, animals were decapitated and tumor tissues and serum samples were collected. AST, ALT and urea measurements in serum samples were performed on an autoanalyzer. Oxidative damage in tumor samples was determined by spectrophotometric measurements of MDA, TOS and TAS, and Nrf2, NF-κB, VEGF, MMP-9, Caspase-3, Bcl-2, Bax, LC-3, Beclin-1, p21 and p53 proteins were determined by Western blotting. As a result of the study, it was revealed that the experimental groups in which BA was administered tumor-targeted s.k. were successful in reducing tumor volume compared to the equivalent i.p. experimental groups. In addition, the pro-apoptotic, pro-autophagic, anti-oxidant, anti-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory properties of BA on tumor tissue were demonstrated for the first time in vivo. Based on this study, BA may constitute the new target of tumor-targeted therapeutic research.