Alpha-solanine, a naturally steroidal glycoalkaloid, is found in leaves and fruits of plants as a defensive agent against fungi, bacteria and insects. Herein, we investigated
solanine toxicity in vitro and in vivo, and assessed its protective and the
therapeutic effects on a typical animal model of
breast cancer. The study conducted in three series of experiments to obtain (i)
solanine effects on cell viability of mammary
carcinoma cells, (ii) in vivo toxicity of
solanine, and (iv) the protective and
therapeutic effects of
solanine on animal model of
breast cancer.
Alpha-solanine significantly suppressed proliferation of mouse mammary
carcinoma cells both in vitro and in vivo (P<0.05). Under the dosing procedure, 5 mg/kg
solanine has been chosen for assessing its protective and
therapeutic effects in mice
breast cancer.
Tumor take rate in the
solanine-treated group was zero compared with a 75% rate in its respective control group (P<0.05). The average
tumor size and weight were significantly lower in
solanine-treated animals than its respective control ones (P<0.05). Proapoptotic
Bax protein expression increased in
breast tumor by
solanine compared with its respective control group (P<0.05). Antiapoptotic Bcl-2
protein expression found to be lower in
solanine-treated animals (P<0.05). Proliferative and angiogenic parameters greatly decreased in
solanine-treated mice (P<0.05). Data provide evidence that
solanine exerts a significant chemoprotective and chemotherapeutic effects on an animal model of
breast cancer through apoptosis induction, cell proliferation and angiogenesis inhibition. These findings reveal a new therapeutic potential for
solanine in
cancer.