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The ethanol extract of avocado [Persea americana Mill. (Lauraceae)] seeds reduced the hyperplastic effect of tamoxifen on uterine endometrium without changing its effect on the mammary gland

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Abstract

Tamoxifen is the most common hormonal treatment for estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer. However, the long-term use of tamoxifen was associated with increased risks of endometrial cancer. The literature suggests that combining tamoxifen with substances endowed with antiproliferative properties could increase tamoxifen’s chemopreventive benefit. The ethanol extract of Persea americana Mill. (Lauraceae) seeds was found exhibiting antiproliferative properties in vitro. The present study therefore aimed at evaluating the ability of such an extract to prevent tamoxifen-induced endometrial hyperplasia without changing its activity on the mammary gland. This study was performed in ovariectomized rats receiving simultaneously tamoxifen (by the intraperitoneal route) and the ethanol extract of P. americana seeds (by gavage) at doses of 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg. Co-administrations were performed for 37 consecutive days and animals were sacrificed thereafter. Uterine and serum levels of estradiol and cholesterol were assessed. The oxidative status of the uterus was also evaluated. Histology of the uterus and the mammary gland was performed. Results showed that the ethanol extract of P. americana seeds did not alter tamoxifen-induced uterine steroidogenesis but reduced its proliferative effect by decreasing uterine epithelial height (p < 0.001). T his antiproliferative effect was associated with increased uterine levels of malondialdehyde and antioxidant enzymes. On the mammary gland, the non-proliferative effect of tamoxifen was not altered by P. americana extract. In conclusion, the ethanol extract of P. americana seeds could be a complementary treatment to prevent tamoxifen-induced endometrial hyperplasia during the treatment of ER+ breast cancer.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to the Research Unit of Animal Physiology and Phytopharmacology of the University of Dschang for material support. This research received no specific funding and was performed at the Research Unit of Animal Physiology and Phytopharmacology of the University of Dschang, as part of the employment of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Unit of Animal Physiology and Phytopharmacology, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 67, Dschang, Cameroon

    Marie Alfrede Mvondo & Nina-Sonia Messongue Mbollo

  2. Laboratory of Animal Physiology, University of Yaounde, P.O. Box 812, Yaoundé, Cameroon

    Dieudonné Njamen

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  1. Marie Alfrede Mvondo
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  2. Nina-Sonia Messongue Mbollo
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  3. Dieudonné Njamen
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by Nina-Sonia Messongue Mbollo, Marie Alfrede Mvondo and Dieudonné Njamen. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Marie Alfrede Mvondo and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Marie Alfrede Mvondo.

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Animal handling and in vivo experiments were carried out in conformity with the European Union on Animal Care (CEECouncil 86/609) guidelines adopted by the Institutional Ethics Committee of the Cameroon Ministry of Scientific Research and Technology Innovation (Reg. no. FWA-IRD 0001954).

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Marie Alfrede Mvondo has no conflict of interest. Nina‑Sonia Messongue Mbollo has no conflict of interest. Dieudonné Njamen has no conflict of interest.

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Mvondo, M.A., Messongue Mbollo, NS. & Njamen, D. The ethanol extract of avocado [Persea americana Mill. (Lauraceae)] seeds reduced the hyperplastic effect of tamoxifen on uterine endometrium without changing its effect on the mammary gland. ADV TRADIT MED (ADTM) 21, 305–316 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13596-020-00443-9

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