Myrtenal Modulates the Immunoexpression of Cell Proliferative, Angiogenic and Invasive Markers in DMBA-Induced Hamster Oral Carcinogenesis

Abstract

Abnormal cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis are the most prominent features of malignant tumours. The present study evaluated the modulating effect of myrtenal on the immunoexpression pattern of cell proliferative (PCNA and cyclin D1), angiogenic (VEGF) and invasive (MMP-2 and MMP-9) markers in 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)induced experimental oral carcinogenesis in golden Syrian hamsters using immunohistochemical assay. Topical application (painting) of 0.5% DMBA (six hamsters), a site specific carcinogen, three times a week for 14 weeks resulted in the formation of tumors in the buccal pouches of golden Syrian hamsters , which was confirmed by histopathological studies. Buccal mucosa excised from the hamsters treated with DMBA alone (tumour-bearing hamsters) showed abnormal immunoexpression pattern of cell proliferative, angiogenic and invasive markers. Myrtenal administration (230 mg/kg b.w) orally to DMBA treated hamsters significantly downregulated the expression of the above said molecular markers in the chemopreventive phase and considerably decreased the expression pattern in the chemotherapeutic phase. The findings from this study, thus support the anti-cell proliferative, anti-angiogenic, and antiinvasive potential of myrtenal in DMBA-induced hamster buccal pouch carcinoma.