Saffron Reduction of 7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced Hamster Buccal Pouch Carcinogenesis

Shanmugam Manoharan,Asokan Manimaran,Shamsul Afaq Wani,Krishnamoorthy Vasudevan,Duraisamy Rajasekaran,Sekar Karthikeyan,Murugaraj Manoj Prabhakar

doi:10.7314/apjcp.2013.14.2.951

Abstract

Our aim was to investigate the chemopreventive potential of saffron in DMBA-induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis. Assessment was by monitoring the percentage of tumor bearing hamsters, tumor size as well as the status of detoxification agents, lipid peroxidation and antioxidants. Oral squamous cell carcinomas were induced in the buccal pouch of Syrian golden hamsters by painting them with 0.5% DMBA in liquid paraffin three times a week for 14 weeks. We observed 100% oral tumor formation with severe histopathological abnormalities in all the hamsters treated with DMBA alone, activities of phase I and phase II detoxification enzymes, lipid peroxidation and antioxidants being significantly altered. Though oral administration of saffron completely prevented the formation of tumors, we noticed severe hyperplasia and dysplasia in hamsters treated with DMBA, suggesting that tumors might eventually develop. Oral administration of saffron return detoxification enzymes, lipid peroxidation and antioxidants to normal ranges. The chemopreventive potential of saffron thus is likely due to antioxidant properties and modulating effects on detoxification in favour of the excretion of carcinogenic metabolites during DMBA-induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis.

Highlights

Oral cancer, one of the most common malignant neoplasms worldwide, starts as an uncontrolled growth of cells in the mouth and leads to disfigurement of the face, debility of body and eventually death
Oral squamous cell carcinoma was developed in the analyses have revealed that saffron is composed of buccal pouch of Syrian golden hamsters by painting with approximately 10% moisture, 12% protein, 5% fat, 5% 0.5% 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) in liquid minerals, 5% crude fibre, and 63% sugars including starch, paraffin three times a week for 14 weeks
We observed 100% tumor formation with mean tumor volume (194.27±12.4 mm3) and tumor burden (583.08±36.4 mm3) in hamsters treated with DMBA alone and the tumors were histopathologically confirmed as well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma

Summary

Introduction

One of the most common malignant neoplasms worldwide, starts as an uncontrolled growth of cells in the mouth and leads to disfigurement of the face, debility of body and eventually death. Of various histological types of oral cancers, over 90% of tumors arising from the oral cavity are found to be squamous cell carcinomas. Epidemiological, experimental and clinical studies pointed out that tobacco smoking, smokeless tobacco products, alcohol consumption, HPV infections, betel quid chewing and low fruits and vegetables intake are the risk factors of oral cancer (Garrote et al, 2001; Massoro et al, 2006). Due to asymptomatic nature of oral cancer at initial stages, typically seek medical attention when the malignancy is at an advanced stage. The low five year survival rate of oral cancer patients is due to late diagnosis, despite recent advancement in oral cancer treatment. Oral cancer can be treated well, if it is diagnosed at early stages (Seoane et al, 2006)

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