Antitumor activity of diallyl sulfide in two-stage mouse skin model of carcinogenesis

A Singh1, Y Shukla

  • 1Laboratory of Environmental Carcinogenesis, Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, Lucknow, India.

Insights

Diallyl sulfide (DAS), a compound found in garlic, demonstrated significant antitumor properties by delaying the onset and reducing the incidence of chemically induced skin cancers in mice. Topical application of DAS effectively inhibited skin carcinogenesis, keeping many animals tumor-free.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Natural Products Chemistry
  • Dermatology

Background:

  • Diallyl sulfide (DAS), a sulfur-containing volatile compound in garlic (Allium sativum), has shown anticarcinogenic activity in rodent models.
  • Chemically induced skin carcinogenesis is a widely used model to study cancer development and prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the antitumor property of diallyl sulfide (DAS) in a two-stage initiation-promotion mouse skin carcinogenesis model.
  • To determine the efficacy of DAS as an anti-initiating and anti-promoting agent against chemically induced skin cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Swiss albino mice were subjected to skin carcinogenesis initiated with 7,12-dimethyl benz(a)anthracene (DMBA) and promoted with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA).
  • Diallyl sulfide (DAS) was applied topically before initiation or promotion treatments.
  • Tumor onset, cumulative tumor number, and tumor incidence were monitored over 32 weeks.

Main Results:

  • Diallyl sulfide (DAS) treatment significantly delayed the onset of skin tumorigenesis.
  • DAS application reduced the cumulative number of tumors and the average number of tumors per mouse.
  • A significant proportion of animals treated with DAS remained tumor-free throughout the experimental period.

Conclusions:

  • Diallyl sulfide (DAS) effectively inhibits chemically induced mouse skin carcinogenesis.
  • DAS exhibits both anti-initiating and anti-promoting properties in this model.
  • These findings support the potential of DAS as a chemopreventive agent against skin cancer.

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