The effect of Azadirachta indica Leaf Extract on Early Stages of Chemically Induced Skin Cancer in Mice

ABSTRACTThe effect of Aqueous Azadirachta indica leaf extract (AAILE) administration during the early stages of chemically induced skin cancer in mice was assessed. 7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene was applied twice weekly for 2 weeks as a carcinogen followed by application of phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (twice weekly for 6 weeks) as a promoter on the skin of mice and AAILE was administered orally for 10 weeks. AAILE exhibited inhibitory effects in early stages as seen by decreased papilloma incidence and number. The decrease in cell proliferation in response to AAILE administration was apparent from the low epidermal thickness, epidermal cell count, and DNA/amide I ratio. The ameliorative effects on papilloma induction were associated with decreased expression of ornithine decarboxylase, ataxia telangiectasia mutated genes in skin, and serum lactate dehydrogenase activity.