Chemopreventive effects of cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum L.) on chemically induced skin carcinogenesis in Swiss albino mice

J Med Food. 2012 Jun;15(6):576-80. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2011.0266. Epub 2012 Mar 9.

Abstract

The chemopreventive potential of cardamom was evaluated on 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-initiated and croton oil-promoted mouse skin papillomagenesis. A significant reduction in the values of tumor incidence, tumor burden, and tumor yield and the cumulative number of papillomas was observed in mice treated orally with 0.5 mg of cardamom powder in suspension continuously at pre-, peri-, and post-initiational stages of papillomagenesis compared with the control group. The average weight and diameter of tumors recorded were also comparatively lower in the cardamom-treated mouse group. Treatment of cardamom suspension by oral gavage for 15 days resulted in a significant decrease in the lipid peroxidation level of the liver (P < .01). In addition, the reduced glutathione level was significantly elevated in comparison with the control group (P < .05) following cardamom suspension treatment. Taken together, these findings indicate the potential of cardamom as a chemopreventive agent against two-stage skin cancer.

MeSH terms

  • 9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / therapeutic use*
  • Croton Oil
  • Elettaria
  • Glutathione / metabolism
  • Lipid Peroxidation / drug effects*
  • Liver / drug effects*
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Papilloma / metabolism
  • Papilloma / prevention & control*
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Plant Preparations / pharmacology
  • Plant Preparations / therapeutic use
  • Skin / drug effects*
  • Skin / metabolism
  • Skin Neoplasms / chemically induced
  • Skin Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Skin Neoplasms / prevention & control*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Plant Preparations
  • 9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene
  • Croton Oil
  • Glutathione