Chemopreventive Potential of Aegle marmelos Fruit Extract against 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)Anthracene-Induced Skin Papillomagenesis in Mice

The present investigation was undertaken to explore the chemopreventive action of Aegle marmelos fruit extract on 2-stage carcinogenesis, induced by a single topical application of 7, 12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) (104μg/100μl acetone), and one week later, promoted by repeated application of croton oil (1% in acetone/twice in a week) till the end of the experiment (16 weeks) in Swiss albino mice. Single topical application of Aegle marmelos fruit extract at a dose of 900 mg/kg b.w. along with DMBA+Croton oil was found to be effective in decreasing the cumulative number of papillomas, tumor incidence, tumor yield and tumor burden as compared to control group (p<0.05). The depleted levels of glutathione were also restored in Aegle marmelos fruit extract treated group. Thus, the present study revealed the chemopreventive role of Aegle marmelos fruit extracts against DMBA-induced skin carcinogenesis in mice.