Psoralidin exerts anti-tumor, anti-angiogenic, and immunostimulatory activities in 4T1 tumor-bearing balb/c mice

Background: Psoralidin as a compound of the Psoralea corylifolia seeds exhibited several anti-cancer potentials in various cancers.

Materials and methods: In this study, 4T1 tumor-bearing Balb/c mice were treated by intraperitoneal administration of Psoralidin, and Paraffin, as a control group to investigate anti-tumor, anti-angiogenic, and immunostimulatory activities in breast cancer. Body weight and tumor volume measurement were performed. Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining as well as immunohistochemistry for Ki-67, CD31 and VEGF markers were conducted. In addition, ELISA assay was performed for evaluating the serum level of IFN-γand IL-4. Moreover, real time assay was performed to evaluate the expression of angiogenesis and immunostimulatory related genes.

Results: There were no significant changes in the body weight of all animal groups. The anti-cancer effects of Psoralidin were significantly observed after 24 days of the last treatment, confirmed by smaller tumor volume and also H&E staining. The expression level of Ki-67, CD31 and VEGF were significantly decreased in tumor tissues of the Psoralidin-treated group in comparison with Paraffin-treated group. Moreover, there was a significant reduction in the serum level of IL-4 in tumor-bearing mice after Psoralidin treatment while the serum level of IFN-γwas significantly augmented in all groups. Moreover, the reduction in expression of VEGF-a and IL-1β was observed. Interestingly Psoralidin treatment led to expression increase of FOXp3.

Conclusions: Psoralidin shows the anti-cancer potential in an animal model of breast cancer; however, further studies are recommended to elucidate its mechanisms of action.