In this investigation, Swiss albino mice were used to assess the preventive effectiveness of Artocarpus heterophyllus extract against peroxidative damage that contributes to skin carcinogenesis. A single topical treatment of 7,12-dimethyl benz(a)anthracene (100 microg/100 microl acetone), followed two weeks later by recurrent application of croton oil (1 percent in acetone three times a week) and continued until the conclusion of the experiment (i.e. 16 weeks), resulted in a 100% tumour incidence. Mice treated with the Artocarpus heterophyllus extract (200 and 400 mg/ kg/ b.wt./ animal /day) in the peri (i.e. 7 days before and after the application of DMBA) or post-initiation (i.e. from the day of croton oil treatment and continued until the end of the experiment) phases showed significant reductions in cumulative numbers of papillomas and tumour incidence (75 percent). In comparison to the carcinogen control group, the average latency duration in the Artocarpus heterophyllus extract treated group was substantially longer (Pre Group - 14 weeks; Post Group - 16 weeks). Results from the present study indicate that the anticarcinogenic activity of Artocarpus heterophyllus extract during DMBA-induced skin papillomagenesis is mediated through alteration of antioxidant status. Thus, Artocarpus heterophyllus extract can be considered as a readily accessible, promising novel cancer chemo-preventive agent.
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