Cancer-promoting effect of Taiwan betel quid in hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the cancer-promoting effect of Taiwan betel quid in hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis.

Materials and methods: Two hundred and fifty-two non-inbred male adult Syrian golden hamsters were randomly divided into six groups, each containing forty-two animals. A treatment regimen over a 14-week experimental period was employed with six animals per group being killed at seven different periods (every 2 weeks). The right buccal pouch of each animal was painted three times a week with various combinations of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA), Taiwan betel quid extract, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and mineral oil.

Result: Both the number and size of tumors in animals concurrently treated with DMBA and betel quid were significantly higher than those in animals treated with DMBA alone in each killing period of 8, 10, 12 and 14 weeks. No visible tumors but hyperkeratosis and acanthosis were observed in pouches treated with betel quid alone for all killing periods.

Conclusion: Our results indicate Taiwan betel quid may be a co-carcinogen in human oral carcinogenesis, if extrapolation can be made from the current animal study.