Dose response screening of free and encapsulated ellagic Acid against 7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene induced oxidative stress on hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis

Ellagic acid, a phenolic phytonutrient has become a focus of intense research owing to its role in prevention and treatment of cancer. In the present study, we proposed to screen the dose response effect of free ellagic acid (EA) and ellagic acid encapsulated nanoparticles (EANP) against DMBA induced oxidative stress on hamster buccal pouch model. DMBA (0.5% in mineral oil) was topically applied to the left buccal pouch of male Syrian hamsters 3 times a week for 14 weeks. Treatment groups received EA (20, 40, 80 mg/kg bw) and EANP (10, 20, 40 mg/kg bw) via oral gavage 3 times a week from 10 to 21 weeks. Animals were sacrificed at the end of the experimental period and free radical mediated oxidative damage was estimated using various biochemical markers such as lipid peroxidation and antioxidants (GSH, SOD, CAT & GPx) which are the key indicators for cancer risk at the precancerous stage. DMBA induced positive controls showed altered levels of lipid peroxidation which is associated with diminished cellular antioxidant status. Treatment with EA and EANP significantly augmented the activities of cellular antitoxidants and ultimately diminished the levels of lipid peroxidation which point towards suppression of preneoplastic lesions thereby reduces the cancerous risk.  Thus from the aforementioned results it is showed that treatment with EA at the dose of 40 mg/kg bw and EANP at the dose of 20 mg/kg bw was found to be the optimal dose which proved antioxidant activity against DMBA induced oxidative stress on hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis.