AIM: Breast cancer remains the most common malignancy in women world wide. Estrogen levels appear to be associated with an increased risk for the development of breast cancer. Tamoxifen (TAM), a non steroidal antiestrogen, is used as a chemotherapeutic and chemopreventive agent for breast cancer. Propolis has been reported to be important antioxidant. This study aims to elucidate the protective effects of propolis on rat liver after treatment with TAM.
METHODS: Three groups of adult female albino rats were used; each containing 10 rats. Group 1 (control): rats were administrated with 0.9% NaCl. Group 2 (experimental): rats were received a diet with 20 mg/kg bw TAM. Group 3 (experimental): rats received a diet containing propolis (50 mg/kg bw) prior to daily TAM 20 mg/kg bw. Paraffin sections were used for histopathological studies.
RESULTS: Histopathological degenerative effects in the form of vacuolar degeneration, fatty changes and hydropic degeneration were noticed in TAM treated rat liver. Karyolysis and karyorrhexis were also seen. Dysplasia and chromatin clumping were observed in scattered hepatocytes. Histopathological and ultrastructural changes were diminished in rats treated with propolis prior to TAM.
CONCLUSION: The present study noticed the protective effect of propolis in improving the histological and ultrastructural changes of liver after treatment with TAM.