Molecular aspects and chemoprevention of dimethylaminoazobenzene-induced hepatocarcinogenesis: A review.

Abstract

The lipophilic azo dye dimethylaminoazobenzene (DAB) is a potent hepatocarcinogen accounted as a group-2B carcinogen causing risk to humans. DAB is commonly used as a coloring agent in food, pharmaceuticals, beverages, soap and polishes. The exploration of DAB-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in animal models helped to an extent to perceive the histological, biochemical and molecular mechanisms of DAB carcinogenesis and also the severity of DAB exposure to humans. In experimental animal models, it is well-proved that the procarcinogen DAB is predominantly metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes giving rise to the formation of toxic electrophiles and reactive oxygen species (ROS), which further forms DNA adducts leading to the development of hepatic tumors. Recently, research evidence suggests that dietary phytochemicals and plant polyphenols are promising agents to control the incidence of DAB-induced hepatocarcinogenesis by preventing the generation of toxic electrophiles and ROS thereby inhibiting the formation of DNA adducts. This review highlights the role of specific dietary factors, biotransformation of DAB, phenotypic and genotypic alterations, and significance of certain chemopreventive agents against DAB-induced hepatocarcinogenesis.