Protective effect of ferulic acid on 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced skin carcinogenesis in Swiss albino mice

Our aim was to evaluate and compare the chemopreventive potential of topically applied and orally administered ferulic acid in 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced skin carcinogenesis. Estimating the status of phase I and phase II detoxication agents, lipid peroxidation byproducts and antioxidants during DMBA-induced skin carcinogenesis assessed the mechanistic pathway for its chemopreventive efficacy. Skin squamous cell carcinoma was induced in the shaved back of mice, by painting with DMBA (25 μg in 0.1 mL−1 acetone) twice weekly for 8 weeks. We have observed 100% tumor formation in the 15th week of experimental period in mice treated with DMBA alone. Marked alterations in the status of phase I and phase II detoxication agents, lipid peroxidaton byproducts and antioxidants were observed in tumor bearing mice. Oral administration of ferulic acid completely prevented the formation of skin tumors, whereas topically applied ferulic acid did not show significant chemopreventive activity during DMBA-induced mouse skin carcinogenesis. Also, oral administration of ferulic acid reverted the status of phase I and phase II detoxication agents, lipid peroxidaton byproducts and antioxidants to near-normal range in DMBA-treated mice. Our results thus demonstrate that orally administered ferulic acid has potent suppressing effect on cell proliferation during DMBA-induced skin carcinogenesis. This is probably due to its modulating effect on the status of lipid peroxidation, antioxidants and detoxication agents during DMBA-induced skin carcinogenesis.