Abstract
The modifying effects of the plant products neem and turmeric during the pre-initiation and post-initiation phases of oral carcinogenesis induced by 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide were investigated in male Wistar rats. The chemopreventive potential of these plant products was biomonitored by measurement of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in the host liver and circulation of tumor-bearing animals. Both neem and turmeric significantly decreased the formation of lipid peroxides and enhanced the levels of enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidants in the pre-initiation as well as post-initiation phases. We speculate that the anticarcinogenic effect of these plant products is partly related to their antioxidant functions.
