Evaluation of anticarcinogenic effects of Clerodendron inerme on 7,12-dimethylbenz(a) anthracene-induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis.
BACKGROUND
Oral cancer is the fifth most frequent cancer worldwide and India has recorded the highest incidence (40-50 percent) of oral malignancy. Clerodendron inerme is used by Indian traditional practitioners for the treatment of various ailments, including cancer. Our aim was to investigate the chemopreventive potential of the aqueous leaf extract of Clerodendron inerme (CiAet) in 7,12-dimethylbenz(a) anthracene (DMBA)-induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis.


METHODS
We developed oral squamous cell carcinoma in the buccal pouch of male Syrian golden hamsters by painting them with 0.5% DMBA in liquid paraffin thrice a week for 14 weeks. The tumour incidence, tumour volume and tumour burden that were formed in the hamster buccal pouches were determined.


RESULTS
Oral administration of CiAet at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight to DMBA-painted animals on days alternate to DMBA painting for 14 weeks significantly prevented the tumour incidence, tumour volume and tumour burden. CiAet also exerts potent antilipidperoxidative effect and improved the antioxidant defence system in DMBA-painted animals. The chemopreventive efficacy of CiAet was evident by inhibition of tumour formation (80%) in DMBA-painted animals.


CONCLUSIONS
The chemopreventive potential of CiAet is probably due to its antilipidperoxidative effect or the presence of some potent bioactive chemopreventive principles in the leaves of Clerodendron inerme.
Manoharan
S
S
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar 608002, Tamil Nadu, India. manshisak@yahoo.com
Kavitha
K
K
Senthil
N
N
Renju
G L
GL
D015127:9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002610:Cheek / Q000473:pathology*; D032409:Clerodendrum; D006224:Cricetinae; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus; D023421:Models, Animal; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves
D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts; D015127:9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene