Modulating Effect of Lupeol on the Expression Pattern of Apoptotic Markers in 7, 12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene Induced Oral Carcinogenesis

Apoptosis, also known as cell suicide or programmed cell death, removes unwanted and genetically damagedcells from the body. Evasion of apoptosis is one of the major characteristic features of rapidly proliferating tumorcells. Chemopreventive agents inhibit or suppress tumor formation through apoptotic induction in target tissues.The aim of the present study was to investigate the pro-apoptotic potential of lupeol during 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis. Topical application of 0.5% DMBA threetimes a week for 14 weeks in the buccal pouches of golden Syrian hamsters resulted in oral squamous cellcarcinoma. The expression pattern of apoptotic markers was analyzed using immunohistochemistry (p53, Bcl-2,Bax) and ELISA reader (caspase 3 and 9). In the present study, 100% tumor formation with defects in apoptoticmarkerexpression pattern was noticed in hamsters treated with DMBA alone. Oral administration of lupeol ata dose of 50mg/kg bw completely prevented the formation oral tumors as well as decreased the expression p53and Bcl-2, while increasing the expression of Bax and the activities of caspase 3 and 9. The present study thusindicated that lupeol might inhibit DMBA-induced oral tumor formation through its pro-apoptotic potentialin golden Syrian hamsters.