No deleterious side-effects on mammary growth and endocrine parameters of chronic ingestion of beta-carotene-rich alga Dunaliella bardawil in virgin mice in comparison with synthetic all-trans beta-carotene

We previously demonstrated a convincing chemopreventive role of beta-carotene-rich Dunaliella bardawil in spontaneous mammary tumorigenesis in mice. In view of the high interest in a natural stereoisomeric mixture of beta-carotene, which is oily, soluble in fat and not crystalline, in contrast to synthetic all-trans beta-carotene, in the search for an antioxidative-anticarcinogenic substance, the effects of chronic ingestion of D. bardawil on mammary growth and endocrine parameters were examined in this paper. The ingestion of the substance supplemented with a standard diet between 20 and 120 days of age showed no deleterious side-effects on mammary gland and uterine growth and mammotrophic hormone secretion similarly to previous results in aged and mammary tumour-bearing mice. Puberty and body growth were accelerated by this substance compared to the synthetic all-trans beta-carotene. Considered together with the previous results of the improved reproduction induced by this substance, these results suggest D. bardawil is very promising as a chemopreventive agent of cancers and/or an additive to healthy food.