Synergistic Effect of Aloe vera Extract and Aerobic Training on Tumor Weight and Volume and Levels of Interleukin 6 and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Mice with Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women. Various studies have shown that taking medicinal herbs and physical activity can play an effective role in the prevention and treatment of cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the synergistic effect of Aloe vera extract and aerobic exercise on levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in mice with breast cancer. In this experimental study, 35 female BALB/c mice were randomly assigned to 5 groups: (1) control (healthy), (2) control (cancer), (3) training (cancer), (4) extract (cancer), and (5) Exercise + Extract (Cancer). The induction of breast cancer in mice was done by tumor implantation. Aloe vera extract was injected subperitoneally at 300 mg/kg of body weight per day. Training (swimming) duration was 10 minutes on the first day, gradually increasing to 60 minutes per day through 5-minute increments. At the end of the study, tumor weight and volume and levels of IL-6 and VEGF were measured. After six weeks, the mean tumor volume and weight decreased in all cancer groups. IL-6 levels were significantly lower in the training group (p = 0.008) and the Exercise + Extract group (p = 0.006) compared with the cancer controls. In addition, the levels of VEGF were significantly lower in the training group (p = 0.006) and the Exercise + Extract group (p = 0.005). However, Aloe vera extract alone did not have a significant effect on the levels of IL-6 and VEGF (p = 0.224 and p = 0.012, respectively). It is likely that the combination of swimming exercises and consumption of Aloe vera extract can improve inflammatory status by reducing the levels of IL-6 and VEGF proinflammatory cytokines.