Anti-cell Proliferative and Anti-angiogenic Potential of Andrographolide During 7,12- Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene Induced Hamster Buccal Pouch Carcinogenesis

Our aim was to explore anti-cell proliferative and anti-angiogenic potential of andrographolide by analyzingthe expression pattern of cell proliferative (PCNA, Cyclin D1) and angiogenic (VEGF) markers during 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis. DMBA painting threetimes a week for 14 weeks in the buccal pouch of golden Syrian hamsters resulted in oral tumors which werehistopathologically diagnosed as well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. Immunohistochemical (PCNA,VEGF) and RT-PCR (Cyclin D1) studies revealed over expression of PCNA, VEGF and Cyclin D1 in the buccalmucosa of hamsters treated with DMBA alone. Oral administration of andrographolide at a dose of 50 mg/kgbw to hamsters treated with DMBA not only suppressed the histological abnormalities but also down regulatedthe expression of PCNA, VEGF and Cyclin D1. The results of the present study suggest that andrographolidesuppressed tumor formation in the buccal mucosa of hamsters treated with DMBA through its anti-cellproliferative and anti-angiogenic potential.