Tumor suppressing potential of Cajanus cajan in 7,12-dimethylbenz(a) anthracene (DMBA)-induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis

Abstract

Traditional medicine has explored the diverse pharmacological efficacy of Cajanus cajan leaves including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential. To scientifically validate the tumor inhibitory potential of Cajanus cajan leaves, the present study utilized the 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis as an experimental oral cancer model. The ethanolic extract of Cajanus cajan leaves (CcELet) suppressed the tumor formation in the pre- initiation phase and reduced the formation of tumors and tumor size as well in the post-initiation phase. Also, the Cajanus cajan leaves modulated the status of lipid peroxidation, antioxidants, and phase I and phase II detoxification agents towards tumor inhibition in the hamsters treated with DMBA. The results of the study thus explore the anti-tumor potential of Cajanus cajan leaves during DMBA induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis.