The anticancer activity of (e)-1-(4’-aminophenyl)-3-phenylprop-2-en-1-on against DMBA-induced mammary cancer in Sprague Dawley rat through the regulation of microRNA-21 expression

Background: The new anticancer is urgently needed due to the high resistance and recurrence of breast cancer. The previous study reported that a new chalcone derivative, (e)-1-(4’-aminophenyl)-3-phenylprop-2-en-1-on, has a potential cytotoxicity against T47D breast cancer cell line. In this study we investigated the anticancer activity of (e)-1-(4’-aminophenyl)-3-phenylprop-2-en-1-on against DMBA-induced mammary cancer in Sprague-Dawley rat and its effect on microRNA-21 expression. Methods: Twenty-four female rats were divided into six groups. The first group, G1 received corn oil. The groups 2 to 6 (G2, G3, T1, T2, and T3) were induced by DMBA (dissolved in corn oil) 20 mg/kgBW for five weeks. After breast nodule had observed, G2 received the vehicle, and G3 received tamoxifen. Whereas, T1, T2, T3 received (e)-1-(4’-aminophenyl)-3-phenylprop-2-en-1-on with different doses, ie. 5, 15, and 45 mg/kgBW/day for 21 days, respectively. Tumor size was measured every week for 21 days, and on day 22, plasma and breast tissues were collected to examine the miR-21 expression by qRT-PCR and histopathological feature, respectively. Result: The result showed that significantly decreased tumor growth (p 0.05) and better histopathological malignant grading in G3, T1, T2, T3 were observed. Moreover, significantly reduced miR-21 relative expression (p 0.05) in G3, T1, and T2 were also observed. Conclusion: (e)-1-(4’-aminophenyl)-3-phenylprop-2-en-1-on has potential anticancer activity on DMBA-induced mammary cancer in Sprague-Dawley rat through its activity on miR-21 expression. Hence, (e)-1-(4’-aminophenyl)-3-phenylprop-2-en-1-on might be a new anticancer candidate in the future.