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.

Introduction:Chemoprevention, an emerging, appealing, and innovative approach in experimental oncology, deals with the inhibition, prevention or suppression of carcinogenesis, using natural products or synthetic derivatives. The aim of the present study is to investigate the chemopreventive potential of chrysin during 7,12-dimethylbenza[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis. Materials and Methods: Oral squamous cell carcinoma was developed in the buccal pouch of Syrian golden hamsters by painting them with 0.5 percent DMBA in liquid paraffin thrice a week, for 14 weeks. The status of lipid peroxidation, antioxidants, and phase I and II detoxification agents were utilized as biochemical end points, to assess the chemopreventive efficacy of chrysin in DMBA-induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis. Results: In the present study, 100% tumor formation with marked abnormalities in the status of lipid peroxidation, antioxidants, and detoxification agents was noticed in hamsters treated with DMBA alone. Oral administration of chrysin at a dose of 250 mg/kg bw to DMBA-treated hamsters significantly reduced the tumor incidence and tumor size as well as reverted the status of the above-mentioned biochemical markers during DMBA-induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis. Conclusion: Chrysin has the potential to delay rather than inhibit tumor formation as evidenced by the tumor formation in two of the DMBA + chrysin-treated hamsters, during DMBA-induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis.