Effect of Nanoemulsions of Betulinic Acid on the Development of Canine Mammary Tumors

TL;DR

This study shows that betulinic acid nanoemulsions can reduce the size of both malignant and benign mammary tumors in dogs.

Contribution

The study demonstrates the potential of betulinic acid nanoemulsions as a treatment for canine mammary tumors.

Findings

Nanoemulsions reduced malignant mammary tumors by 38% in one dog after 30 days.

Benign tumors were reduced by 25.3% in three dogs with the same treatment.

Oral administration of the nanoemulsion was effective in reducing tumor size.

Abstract

Mammary gland tumors in dogs are very common in clinical practice. Betulinic acid is currently a compound considered to have anticancer properties in human mammary tumors through nanoemulsions. In this study, the use of betulinic acid nanoemulsions in two female dogs diagnosed with malignant mammary tumors (MMTs) and three with benign mammary tumors (BMTs) was assessed. The responses after 30 days of daily treatment were evaluated. In one of the female dogs with MMTs treated with the nanoemulsion, the tumor size was reduced by approximately 38%, while in the BMTs of female dogs, the nanoemulsion reduced the size of the tumors by 25.3%. Oral administration of the betulinic acid nanoemulsion reduced the size of canine mammary tumors. Experimental studies are needed to further evaluate this preparation.

Mammary gland tumors in dogs are very common in clinical practice. Betulinic acid is currently a compound considered to have anticancer properties in human mammary tumors via nanoemulsions. In this study, betulinic acid nanoemulsions with a particle size of less than 300 nm were prepared. Biopsies were obtained from five female dogs with mammary tumors for histopathological analysis, confirming that two were tubular mammary carcinomas (MMTs, malignant) and three were complex mammary adenomas (BMTs, benign). The five female dogs were administered with a daily oral dose of nanoemulsion containing 5 mg/kg of betulinic acid for 30 days. Tumor size was measured every 7 days, and the response to treatment was assessed according to RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors) standards. In one of the females with MMTs treated with the nanoemulsion, the tumor size was reduced by approximately 38%, while in the BMT female dogs, the nanoemulsion reduced the tumor size by 25.3%. It was concluded that oral administration of betulinic acid nanoemulsions reduced the size of canine mammary tumors. Experimental studies are still needed to further evaluate this preparation.

Figures