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Anticarcinogenic action of diallyl sulfide in hamster buccal pouch and forestomach
M Nagabhushan1, D Line, P J Polverini
1Northwestern University Dental School, Department of Pathology, Chicago, IL 60611.
Abstract:
The anticarcinogenic action of the garlic constituent diallyl sulfide (DAS), was examined in the hamster buccal pouch and forestomach. Groups of hamsters were topically treated, for up to 14 weeks, with a 0.5% solution of the buccal pouch and forestomach carcinogen 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA). Prior to, during and after DMBA treatment, groups of hamsters were also treated, on alternate days, with a 1% solution of DAS. In addition to tumor formation, the induction of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma GT) buccal pouch epithelial lesions served as an additional presumptive index of in vivo carcinogenesis/anticarcinogenesis. DAS resulted in a significant reduction in buccal pouch tumor frequency, buccal pouch tumor burden, buccal pouch gamma GT lesion frequency and forestomach tumor frequency. In a separate experiment, DAS also reduced the level of autoradiographically quantified unscheduled DNA repair synthesis (UDS) in pieces of hamster buccal pouch concurrently exposed in vitro to the potent buccal pouch carcinogen N-methyl-N-benzylnitrosamine (MBN). This study demonstrates that DAS is an effective anticarcinogenic agent in squamous mucosa of the hamster and suggests novel cost-effective strategies for the rapid identification of tissue-specific anticarcinogens and a quantitative assessment of their efficacy.
Insights
Diallyl sulfide (DAS), a garlic compound, significantly reduced tumor formation in hamsters. This study highlights DAS as an effective anticarcinogen for squamous mucosa, suggesting new methods for identifying cancer-preventing agents.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Chemoprevention
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Squamous cell carcinomas are a significant health concern.
- Identifying effective anticarcinogens is crucial for cancer prevention strategies.
- Garlic and its constituents have shown potential chemopreventive properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the anticarcinogenic effects of diallyl sulfide (DAS) in hamster models.
- To evaluate DAS's efficacy against carcinogen-induced tumors in the buccal pouch and forestomach.
- To assess DAS's impact on DNA repair synthesis as a marker of anticarcinogenic activity.
Main Methods:
- Hamsters were treated with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) and diallyl sulfide (DAS).
- Tumor formation, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma GT) lesions, and DNA repair synthesis (UDS) were quantified.
- In vitro studies assessed DAS's effect on N-methyl-N-benzylnitrosamine (MBN)-induced DNA repair.
Main Results:
- DAS significantly reduced tumor frequency and burden in the buccal pouch and forestomach.
- DAS decreased the incidence of gamma GT lesions, an indicator of carcinogenesis.
- DAS inhibited unscheduled DNA repair synthesis induced by a potent carcinogen in vitro.
Conclusions:
- Diallyl sulfide (DAS) demonstrates significant anticarcinogenic activity in squamous mucosa.
- DAS effectively reduces carcinogen-induced tumor development and DNA damage.
- This research supports novel strategies for identifying and quantifying tissue-specific anticarcinogens.