Extracts of red yolk from duck eggs inhibit metastasis of human mammary carcinoma (4T1) cells in mice

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present study was to investigate the in vivo anti-metastatic activity of the red pigments of red yolk eggs laid by the ducks dieting on Potamogeton cripus L on the mammary carcinoma (4T1). The pigments were extracted with petroleum ether and acetone (21, v/v). BALB/c mice were divided into three groups (n=6), fed with the extracts at 150 mg/kg body weight (BW)/day (DEYE-H) or at 50 mg/kg BW/day (DEYE-L) and identical buffer without the extract (control group). The extracts were administered for 34 days. The treatment significantly inhibited the growth of orthotopical 4T1 tumour (DEYE-H vs control, 12; DEYE-L vs control, 23) and reduced the metastasis of tumour in the lungs (DEYE-H vs control, 47; DEYE-L vs control, 57), without statistical difference of body weight among the three groups.