Garlic induces apoptosis during 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis.
The apoptosis-inducing capacity of aqueous garlic extract during 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced hamster buccal pouch (HBP) carcinogenesis was investigated in male Syrian hamsters using DNA fragmentation and the apoptosis-associated proteins, tissue transglutaminase (tTG) and Bcl-2. Hamsters were divided into four groups of six animals each. Animals in group 1 were painted with a 0.5% solution of DMBA in liquid paraffin on the right buccal pouches three times a week for 14 weeks. Group 2 animals painted with DMBA as in group 1, in addition received 250 mg/kg body weight aqueous garlic extract orally on days alternate to DMBA application. Group 3 animals received garlic extract as in group 2. Group 4 animals received neither DMBA nor garlic extract and served as the control. The experiment was terminated at the end of 14 weeks. Administration of aqueous garlic extract (250 mg/kg body weight) to animals painted with DMBA inhibited DMBA-induced oral carcinogenesis as revealed by the absence of neoplasms, induction of tTG and inhibition of Bcl-2 expression. The results of the present study suggest that garlic may exert its chemopreventive effect by inducing apoptosis.
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu, India.
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Balasenthil
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KS
Rao
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Nagini
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D001551:Benz(a)Anthracenes; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D002610:Cheek; D006224:Cricetinae; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D005737:Garlic / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D011503:Transglutaminases / Q000378:metabolism
D001551:Benz(a)Anthracenes; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D010936:Plant Extracts; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; C046810:7,12-dihydroxymethylbenz(a)anthracene; D011503:Transglutaminases