Preventive Effect of Commiphora molmol on Rat Mammary Carcinogenesis Induced by 7, 12-Dimethylbenz(A)Anthracene (DMBA) in Comparison with Melatonin

2 Abstract: Commiphora molmol is one of the most common herbs consumed in the Arabian countries. In this study the efficacy of C. molmol in preventing mammary tumorigenesis was assessed by comparing its pretreatment effects in the DMBA-induced rat mammary carcinogenesis model to pretreatment with melatonin. Virgin female Sprague-Dawley rats (5-6 weeks-old) were randomly divided into one of five groups: (1) melatonin (10 mg/ kg.b.wt; n=20); (2) Oleo-gum-resin of C. molmol (500mg/ Kg.bwt; n=20); (3) 0.5% ethanolic phosphate- buffered saline (PBS; n=20); (4) distilled water (n=20); (5) no treatment (n=10). All treatments started 15 days prior to DMBA and ended at the same day of DMBA administration. 1 - 4 groups received a single oral dose st th