Effect of Ambrosia arborescens Mill. ethanolic extract on breast cancer induced in rats

Mill. ( ) is an aromatic plant used in traditional medicine as an anti-inflammatory, anti-tussive, anti-rheumatic, and anti-diarrheal agent. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Mill. on a var. -induced breast cancer model. We collected from the province of Julcán, La Libertad Region, Per, and prepared an ethanolic extract using pulverized leaves macerated in 96° ethanol for 72 h with magnetic stirring. In the evaluation of anticancer activity, four experimental groups with 10 female rats each were formed: Group I (Control-7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene [DMBA]), which received DMBA (single dose) and physiological saline solution for 4 months, and Groups II, III, and IV, which received DMBA (single dose) and 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg/day of the ethanolic extract of , respectively, for 4 months. The DMBA control group presented histological characteristics of ductal carcinoma with necrotic and inflammatory areas, whereas the extract group showed a decrease in tumor volume and recovery of the ductal duct. Ethanol extract of leaves decreases tumor development in rats with induced breast cancer, and this effect is dose-dependent.