CHEMOPREVENTIVE ACTIVITY OF QUININE SULFATE IN DMBA-CROTON OIL INDUCED SKIN CARCINOMA IN MICE

Cancer has emerged as a major health problem globally as a consequence to the increased longevity of the population, changing environment and life style. Chemoprevention is a new and promising strategy for reducing cancer burden. The present study was conducted to evaluate the potential of Quinine sulphate to prevent chemically induced skin cancer in mice. Cancer was induced on 2-stage skin carcinogenesis model by single topical application of 7,12 dimethylbenz [a] anthracene (DMBA), as initiator, and two weeks later it was promoted by croton oil treatment thrice a week on the dorsal surface of mice for 16 weeks. Mice were divided into following groups: I Normal mice without any treatment, II Topical Acetone treated, III DMBA + Croton oil (Positive Control), Group IV Topical quinine sulfate treated (higher dose), Group V Topical quinine sulfate treated (lower dose). The differences in the values of the results of experimental groups were statistically analyzed which were significant in comparison to the control group. The animals of the quinine sulphate treated group had a significant reduction in tumor incidence, cumulative number of tumors, tumor yield and tumor burden when compared with the carcinogen-treated control animals. The average weight and diameter of tumors recorded were also comparatively lower in the quinine sulfate treated groups. Taken together, these findings indicate that quinine sulphate has the potential to become a pivotal chemopreventive agent that can reduce cancer.