Uncaria gambir Roxb (Bajakah) Effects on tumor growth, apoptosis, inflammation, and angiogenesis of DMBA-Induced mammary carcinoma in rat: An immunohistochemistry study

Objective: To investigate the antitumor effects of U. gambir extract on 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary carcinoma in Wistar rats. Methodology: This experimental study included 30 female rats divided in five groups receiving different U. gambir extracts at 200mg/kg, 600mg/kg, 1000mg/kg body weight (BW), and positive control (capecitabine 65mg/kg BW). Apoptosis, inflammation, and angiogenesis induction were assessed by immunohistochemistry, and quantifying biomarkers caspase-3, NF-KB, and VEGFR-2 expressions using the Histoscore method. Statistical analyses included one-way ANOVA (tumor volume) with Bonferroni posthoc and chi-square tests for biomarker expression. Results: The 600 mg/kg BW U. gambir group exhibited significant tumor growth inhibition (p<0.01). A trend toward increased caspase-3 and NF-KB expression was observed in the 600 mg/kg group and 200mg/kg group respectively, although it did not achieve statistical significance (p>0.05). VEGFR-2 expression is no different compared to the control group. Conclusions: These findings suggest that U. gambir extracts have antitumor activity by decreasing tumor volume. However, further research is essential to define the mechanistic pathways and identify active components.