The effect of nettle extract and aerobic training on the gene expression of VEGF and caspase 3 in mice with melanoma

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of nettle extract consumption and aerobic exercise on VEGF and caspase 3 gene expression in mice with melanoma.

In this study, 20 adult male rats with age of 8 week were randomly divided into 4 groups including: control, exercise, extract and exercise + extract. The training program consisted of 30 minutes of running on a treadmill without a slope at a speed of 16 m/min for the first week, and one meter per minute was added every week until it reached 22 meters per minute in the eighth week. One week after melanoma induction, the experimental group consumed 30 mg /kg /day of nettle ethanol extract orally for 8 weeks. RT PCR in blood was used to measure the expression of VEGF and caspase 3 genes.

Data analysis showed that VEGF gene expression was decreased in experimental groups compared to the control group; But did not reach a significant level (p = 0.154). The results also showed that caspase 3 gene expression was significantly increased in the experimental groups compared to the control group (p = 0.000). Post hoc test also showed that caspase 3 gene expression was significantly different between the combination group and other groups.

The results showed that consumption of nettle extract may have anti-cancer effects through various mechanisms such as antioxidant activity, induction of apoptosis inhibition of cell growth and cell migration.