Effect of esculetin on the expression pattern of apoptotic markers in experimental oral carcinogenesis

Abstract

Evasion of apoptosis has been recognized as one of the salient features of the tumour cell. The programmed cell death is regulated by a spectrum of apoptotic proteins, which include both pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic markers. The aim of the present study is to explore the apoptotic induction potential of esculetin by analysing the expression pattern of apoptotic markers in 7,12- dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) - induced oral carcinogenesis. Tumours were developed in the hamster’s buccal mocosa using a site-specific carcinogen, DMBA [topical application, 3 times a week for 14 weeks]. While the buccal mucosa from the hamster treated with DMBA alone (tumour bearing hamster) exhibited abnormal pattern of apoptotic markers (p⁵³, Bcl-2, Bax, caspase 3 and caspase 9), the expression pattern was found to be reverted to near normal pattern in DMBA+esculetin treated hamster’s buccal mucosa. The present results thus reveal the esculetin ability to induce apoptosis in DMBA-induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis.