Present aim was to study the modifying effects of Annona squamosa leaf extracts in 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis. Oral squamous cell carcinomas were induced in buccal pouches of Syrian golden hamsters by painting with 0.5% 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene in liquid paraffin three times per week for 14 weeks. The incidence of total number of tumors, tumor burden and tumor volume were recorded in 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene painted hamsters. The status of glycoconjugates in plasma, erythrocyte membranes and tumor tissues were analysed in tumor bearing hamsters and Annona squamosa leaf extracts treated 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene painted hamsters. Oral administration of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Annona squamosa leaf extracts at a dose of 500 mg kg-1 body weight and 300 mg kg-1 bodyweight respectively, reduced the tumor formation as well as protected the levels of glycoconjugates in 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene painted hamsters during carcinogenesis. Present study suggests that A. squamosa leaf extracts have potent chemopreventive efficacy and can modify the abnormalities in cell surface glycoconjugates during neoplastic transformation.
