Abstract
Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma is a major component of a diverse group of neoplasms often
referred to as ‘head and neck cancer’. Frequent smoking and/or alcohol consumption are two major risk
factors for oral cancer.
Objectives: The present study was aimed to investigate the protective role of Pergularia daemia ethyl
acetate and methanolic extracts (PDEAE and PDME, respectively) on glycoproteins in dimethylbenz(a)
anthracene (DMBA) induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis.
Materials and Methods: Male golden Syrian hamsters were used and divided into six groups. Group
2 carried 0.5% 7,12-DMBA painting on left buccal pouch. Groups 3 and 4 were treated with DMBA
and 300 mg/kg bwt of PDEAE and PDME by intragastric administration. Remaining groups served as
untreated control. All the experiments were performed within 14 weeks.
Results: Body weight loss and 100% tumor incidence were observed treated hamsters with DMBA alone,
whereas administration of PDEAE and PDME in animals with oral cancer caused significant alterations
in body weight and tumor incidence. Further, plasma and buccal pouch tissue glycoprotein levels were
increased and erythrocyte glycoprotein levels were depleted in DMBA treated hamsters. The levels were
significantly reversed in hamsters treated with PDEAE and PDME at 300 mg/kg bwt.
Conclusion: PDEAE and PDME produce a significant protective effect against DMBA induced oral cancer
by altering glycoproteins levels.