Chemoprevention of Experimental Hamster Buccal Pouch Carcinogenesis by Garlic Oil

ABSTRACT The chemopreventive potential of garlic oil against 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced hamster buccal pouch (HBP) carcinogenesis was investigated. Measurement of lipid peroxidation and the antioxidant status together with histopathological changes was used to biomonitor chemoprevention. All hamsters painted with 0.5 percent DMBA for 16 weeks developed well-differentiated squamous cell carcinomas. Diminished lipid peroxidation in the HBP tumor tissue was accompanied by decreased activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase, with elevation in ascorbic acid, vitamin E, reduced glutathione (GSH) and GSH-dependent enzymes. Topical application of garlic oil (100 mg in 100 μl) suppressed DMBA-induced HBP carcinomas as revealed by the absence of neoplasms. The results of the present study suggest that garlic oil may exert chemopreventive effects by modulating lipid peroxidation and enhancing antioxidant activities.