Fermented Prunus mume with Probiotics Inhibits 7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene and 12-O-Tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate Induced Skin Carcinogenesis throughAlleviation of Oxidative Stress

Maesil (Prunus mume Siebold & Zucc.), a member of the genus Rosaceae, has been reported to haveantioxidative effects, as well as anticancer influence in many cancer lines. Thus, this present study was designedto investigate the inhibitory effect of fermented Maesil with probiotics against 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene(DMBA), 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate (TPA)-induced mouse skin carcinogenesis via its antioxidativepotential. Mice were fed a diet containing fermented Maesil, containing either 1% (1% FM fed group) or 2%(2% FM fed group) along with probiotics following DMBA and TPA exposure. Continuous ingestion of theexperimental feed markedly inhibited skin carcinogenesis, as evidenced by a marked decrease in papillomanumbers and epidermal hyperplasia as well as cellular proliferation and the percentage of proliferating-cellnuclear antigen positive cells. Also, the FM fed group showed an increase of total antioxidant capacity as well asan increased level of phase II detoxifying enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, concurrent with a decreasedlipid peroxidation activity level. Taken together, these results suggest that fermented Maesil has the ability tosuppress the development of DMBA-TPA induced skin carcinogenesis, via the reduction of lipid peroxidation,enhancing total antioxidant capacity and phase II detoxifying enzyme.