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Updated: Feb 11, 2026
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Screening of Tobacco Genotypes for Phytophthora nicotianae Resistance
Published on: April 15, 2022
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Molecular Pathogenesis of Chewable Tobacco
Saeeda Baig1, Zile Rubab1, Wasfa Farooq1
1Department of Biochemistry, Ziauddin University, Clifton, Karachi.
Summary
Chewing tobacco formulations like naswar, gutka, and betel quid in Pakistan cause oral cancer and cardiovascular issues. These products damage DNA and disrupt cellular repair, leading to severe health consequences.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Toxicology
- Public Health
Background:
- Oral cancer is the second leading malignancy in Pakistan, largely due to the widespread use of various chewable tobacco products.
- Common formulations include naswar, gutka, areca nut, and betel quid (paan).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the epidemiological, pathological, and psychological effects of popular chewable tobacco formulations in Pakistan.
- To highlight the carcinogenic mechanisms and health impacts associated with these products.
Main Methods:
- A literature survey of studies published between 1990 and 2017, primarily from PubMed and other search engines.
- Inclusion of reviews, original articles, and data sources on chewable tobacco, its epidemiology, pathology, and psychological effects.
Main Results:
- Chemicals in chewable tobacco mutate oral mucosa DNA by downregulating repair pathways and upregulating pathogenic genetic networks.
- Areca nut's alkaloid, arecoline, causes carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, and genotoxicity.
- Gutka leads to precancerous lesions and facial abnormalities; naswar is linked to oral cancer and adverse cardiovascular events.
- Betel quid causes psychoactivity, dependence, and neurological effects, including altered EEG and elevated stress hormones.
Conclusions:
- Chewable tobacco formulations contain carcinogenic substances that damage oral mucosa DNA and cellular repair mechanisms.
- These products contribute significantly to oral cancer, precancerous lesions, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological dysfunction in Pakistan.
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