Effect of Cinnamaldehyde on Female Reproductive Hormones in 7, 12 Dimethyl Benzanthracene Induced Ovarian Cancer Rats

Ovarian cancer is the deadliest type of cancer in women. It is often presented at an advanced stage and has a poor prognosis. The current treatment methods for this tumor are not safe and have serious side effects. It has been suggested that the use of steroids for hormonal purposes is linked to the development of ovarian cancer. The current study aims to investigate the effects of cinnamaldehyde on these hormones. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of cinnamaldehyde on the reproductive hormones of rats after being induced to develop ovarian cancer. Cinnamaldehyde is an active compound that has been used in Asia for over 4000 years. Cinnamaldehyde has different biological activities including antimicrobial, antiinflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant, antitumor were reported by many investigators. In the present study, animals were randomly allocated into VI groups: Group -I served as a control with normal water and group-II was drug control (50 mg/kg b. w) rats received only cinnamaldehyde orally for 36 weeks. The rats in group III were given a single dose of 7,12 Dimethyl benzanthracene (100 µg/rat) dissolved in 10 µL of sesame oil to surgically exposed left ovary and maintained up to 36 weeks to initiate ovarian carcinogenesis. Group IV rats received DMBA + cinnamaldehyde 50 mg/kg b. w (before starting the experiment and continued up to 24 weeks). Group V rats received DMBA + cinnamaldehyde 50 mg/kg b. w (25-36 weeks). Group VI rats received DMBA + cinnamaldehyde 50 mg/kg b. w (1-36 weeks). Serum levels of Estrogen, progesterone, LH, FSH were estimated using ELISA. The results showed that significant increase in serum level of Estrogen, LH, FSH, and decreased progesterone in only DMBA treated group when compared with control groups. Also, there was a significant decrease in serum levels of Estrogen, LH, FSH, and increased progesterone in cinnamaldehyde treated groups (dose-dependent) when compared to only DMBA treated group. The results of the present study suggested that cinnamaldehyde has anticancer activity and further investigations are needed for evaluating the anticancer potential and mechanism of its action. Keywords: Cinnamaldehyde, DMBA, Ovarian cancer, Reproductive hormones.