Protective impacts of Ziziphus Jujube on biochemical and hematological factors in NMU-inducedbreast cancer in rats

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. Various risk factors are for breast cancer such as N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (NMU). On the other hand, herbs for instance Ziziphus Jujube have been demonstrated to be a source of anticancer compounds. In this study anticancer effects of Z. Jujube on weight, Albumin, Liver enzymes (AST, ALT), albumin, total protein and complete blood count (CBC) in NMU induced cancerous rats investigated. Methods and materials: NMU (60mg/kg) injected intraperitoneally once a week in during 8-weeks.Their weight measured weekly. After observation of first solid tumor, rats daily received Z. jujube (400 mg/kg) during 14 days. In the end study the rats anesthetized and blood samples collected from heart to assay CBC, liver enzymes, albumin and total protein. Result: Our data shown that lower weight of animals in the NMU-treated group then control group. The mean body weights of rats receiving 400 mg/kg of Z. jujube did not significantly (P<0.05) differ from control group. Biochemical analyses showed that ALT, AST, albumin and total protein levelssignificantly decrease in NMU group whereas normal levels of them seen in Z. jujube group. Also Z. jujube exhibited a preventive effect against anaemia, lymphocytosis and neutrophilia compared to NMU group.Discussion: These findings indicated that Z. jujube moderated clinical sever effects of NMU carcinogenesis and could be useful for treatment of mammary tumors in humans.