Background Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women, and plasma-activated water (PAW) is emerging as a potential therapeutic approach. While early results are encouraging, additional research is necessary to assess its long-term effects and identify the most effective methods of application. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of PAW on an MCF7 breast cancer mouse model. Methods A total of eighteen BALB/c mice were divided into three groups (n=6/group): one negative control group and two tumor groups injected with MCF7 cells. After 91 days of MCF7 injection, the tumor groups received either distilled water (DW) or PAW (for 3 min) twice weekly via oral gavage for 28 days. Results The results revealed that the conductivity, H2O2, and NO2- values were significantly higher for PAW than for DW, while pH was lower (P<0.001). Hematological analysis showed an increase in neutrophil counts, neutrophil %, eosinophil %, and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio in MCF7 and PAW groups. Conversely, there were reductions in red blood cells (RBC), platelets (PLT), hemoglobin (HGB), and hematocrit (HCT) percentages, while mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) increased. Both the control and PAW groups had higher total antioxidants and levels of α-L-fucosidase, while MCF7 had elevated arginase levels. The CD44⁺/CD24⁻ and CD44⁺/CD24⁺ cell populations were highest in the MCF7 group and reduced in the PAW group. The percentage of parent cells in late apoptosis was significantly higher in the PAW group than in the MCF7 and DW groups. Histopathology analysis revealed carcinoma features in the MCF7 group, while PAW reduced these effects. Immunostaining showed increased ER-α and Caspase-3 expression in the MCF7 group, with PAW moderating expression levels. Conclusions Overall, these findings suggest that PAW may offer promising therapeutic applications in managing oxidative stress and hindering cancer cell progression.

Plasma-activated water (PAW) is a new technology applied in biomedical research, agriculture, and the food industry. However, its safety and long-term efects require further investigation. Therefore, the current study was designed to evaluate the impact of PAW oral gavage on body weight, food intake, behavior (tail suspension test and open feld test), internal organs relative weight, blood biochemical indicators, intestinal microbiota and liver and kidney histopathology in 10-week-old female mice (n=30). Mice were divided into three groups each containing 10 mice received orally (gastric lavage) either distilled water (DW), or DW exposed to cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) for 3 min (PAW-3), or 15 min (PAW15) a dose of 200 μl/mice (3 times/week) for 4 weeks. Compared with the DW, the results showed that both PAW-3 and PAW-15 signifcantly increased urea concentration (P=0.044). The PAW-3 group showed a signifcantly higher neutrophil/ lymphocyte ratio (P=0.043), and higher lactobacilli count (P=0.002). However, PAW-15 showed signifcantly higher alkaline phosphatase levels (P=0.039), and a signifcantly lower coliform count (P<0.001). No signifcant diferences (P>0.05) in body weight, food intake, organ relative weights, behavior tests, or major biochemical parameters were observed. Liver and kidney tissues in PAW-treated groups, particularly PAW-15, exhibited severe pathological changes, including hepatocellular necrosis, glomerular atrophy, interstitial infammation, and tubular degeneration, indicating substantial organ damage associated with PAW exposure. In conclusion, PAW’s impact on biochemical markers, microbiota, and organ health raises safety concerns, warranting further long-term studies

Abstract

Introduction: Glyphosate-Based Herbicide (GBHs) are widely used worldwide,
this study investigated the ameliorative effect of Aloe Vera against GBHs hepatic
toxicity in rats via anti-inflammatory and antioxidant Actions, with a focus on
DNA damage and apoptosis.
Methods: Twenty-four Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly classified into four
groups: Group I, represented as a control. In group II, rats were administered
500 mg/kg of Roundup herbicide as one of GBHs. In Group III, rats were
administered 200 mg/kg of Aloe Vera, and finally, in Group IV, rats were coadministered with 500 mg/kg of Roundup and 200 mg/kg of Aloe Vera, orally,
three times a week for 6 weeks.
Results and Discussion: Rats exposed to GBH showed significant oxidative
stress, evidenced by elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) and decrease the reduced
glutathione (GSH) levels, alongside increased the inflammatory markers (TNF-
α and IL-1β). Liver function enzymes (ALT, AST, LDH) were markedly elevated,
and comet assay results revealed substantial DNA fragmentation in hepatocytes.
Histopathological findings and immunohistochemical overexpression of
caspase-3 confirmed the liver pathological lesions and apoptosis, respectively.
Co-administration of Aloe Vera with GBH significantly alleviated the biochemical,
histopathological, and apoptotic alterations, but it did not fully reverse the DNA
damage. These findings suggest that Aloe Vera may offer partial hepatoprotection
against GBH toxicity through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.