Effects of Tomato and Carrot-Supplemented Diets on Physical and Haematological Characteristics of Wistar Rats Exposed to Breast Carcinogen (Dimethylbenz-[A]-Anthracene)

Abstract

Cancer, particularly of the breast, is one of the most common cases of morbidity and mortality in women globally. This research aimed at exploring the potentials of tomato and/or carrot-supplemented diets in mitigating against breast cancer carcinogen, DMBA in rats. Forty-eight female rats were randomly distributed into 8 groups. Groups 1 and 2 comprised of unexposed rats fed standard diet and DMBA-administered group fed standard diet respectively. Groups 3-5 were DMBA-administered groups fed diets containing 20% tomato, 20% carrot, and 20% of an equally mixed tomato and carrot respectively. For groups 6-8, unexposed rats fed diets containing 20% tomato, carrot, and 20% of an equally mixed tomato and carrot respectively. The feeding was for a period of 10 weeks. Feed intake, changes in weight and hematological changes were determined. The exposed rats fed supplemented diets had significantly (p<0.05) higher feed intake and percentage weight gain compared with the exposed group fed standard diet. Similarly, the unexposed groups fed supplemented diets had significantly (p<0.05) higher feed intake and percentage weight gain in comparison with the unexposed group fed standard diet. DMBA- Exposed group and unexposed group fed 20% tomato-supplemented diet had significantly higher WBC and hemoglobin compared with the control. In conclusion, supplementation of diets with either carrot or tomato improves feed intake in normal rats and antagonizes appetite-suppressing effects of cancer, and ameliorates weight loss in rats exposed to breast carcinogen.