The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of selected polyphenolic compounds:
epicatechin,
apigenin, and
naringenin, administered separately or in combination with
zinc (Zn), on the growth and development of the neoplastic process induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]
anthracene (DMBA) in rats. The impact of supplementation with the above-mentioned compounds on the content of modified derivatives:
1-methyladenosine, N6-methyl-2'-deoxyadenosine, O-
methylguanosine,
7-methylguanine,
3-methyladenine,
1-methylguanine,
2-amino-6,8-dihydroxypurine, and
8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine in the urine of rats with
mammary cancer was also assessed. Female Sprague-Dawley rats divided into 7 groups were used in the study: animals without supplementation and animals supplemented with
apigenin,
epicatechin, and
naringenin separately or in combination with
zinc. To induce
mammary cancer, rats were treated with DMBA. Modified derivatives were determined by a validated high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry method. Based on the obtained results, it can be said that supplementation of the animals with
naringenin inhibits the development and progression of the neoplastic process in rats treated with
7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene. Neoplastic
tumors were found in only 2 of 8 rats (incidence: 25%) and were considered to be at most grade 1
malignancy. The first palpable
tumors in the group of animals receiving
naringenin appeared two-three weeks later when compared to other groups. The combination of
zinc with
flavonoids (
apigenin,
epicatechin, and
naringenin) seems to stimulate the process of
carcinogenesis. The level of N6-methyl-2'-deoxyadenosine and
3-methyladenine in the urine of rats was statistically significantly higher in the groups supplemented with
apigenin,
epicatechin, and
naringenin administered in combination with Zn than in the groups receiving only polyphenolic compounds. In conclusion, supplementation of rats with selected
flavonoids administered separately or in combination with Zn has an impact on the development of
neoplasms and the level of modified
nucleosides in the urine of rats with
breast cancer. Our results raise the question of whether simultaneous diet supplementation with more than one anti-
cancer agent may reduce/stimulate the risk of
carcinogenesis.