Roles of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) and Carrot (Daucus carota L.) on Hepatoprotection and Inflammation in Rats Fed Breast Carcinogen

Abstract

Abstract

Public health has been threatened by cancer. The most prevalent type of cancer among women is breast cancer. This study examined the protective effects of supplementing Wistar albino rats with tomatoes and carrots against the breast carcinogen dimethylbenz-[a]-anthracene (DMBA). The carrot and tomato were ground into a powder after being dried in the shade. Eight groups of 48 female rats were randomly assigned. Rats in Groups 1 were unexposed and provided a standard diet, while the rats in Group 2 were given DMBA and fed a standard diet. Groups 3-5 received DMBA and were given diets that contained 20% tomato, 20% carrot and 20% of a tomato and carrot mixture respectively. Unexposed rats in groups 6–8 were given diets that contained 20% tomato, 20% carrot and 20% of a tomato and carrot mixture respectively. This was maintained for the period of 10 weeks. The powdered plants were characterized phytochemically. Markers of inflammation and liver function were evaluated. Histopathology was done on the liver and kidney. In comparison to carrot powder, tomato powder exhibited lower levels of flavonoids and alkaloids but higher quantities of carotenoids (23.99 mg/100g) and phenolics (0.51 mg/100g). ALT, AST and ALP activities significantly decreased (p<0.05) in the groups given supplemented meals with DMBA, whereas TP concentrations increased. The C-reactive protein and tumor necrosis factor-alpha concentrations were significantly (p<0.05) lower in all groups than in the DMBA-administered group that was given a normal diet. The cellular architecture of the DMBA-administered groups fed enriched diets was better than that of the DMBA-administered groups fed normal         diet. Carrot or tomato supplements lower the incidence of breast cancer in rats exposed to DMBA by preserving cellular integrity, enhancing anti-inflammatory defense systems and resolving liver malfunction.

Keywords: Breast cancer, carrot, Dimethylbenz-[a]-anthracene, inflammatory, tomato