The Protective Effect of the Methanolic Extract of Ferula persica against 4-Nitroquinoline-1-Oxide (4-NQO) Induced Tongue Neoplasm (Squamous Cell Carcinoma) in Rats

Abstract

Cancer is one of the most important causes of death around the world and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) represents 90% of oral malignancies. Ferula persica has been used for treatment of different diseases in Iranian traditional medicine. There are some evidences about preventing the malignancies through the F. persica in previous studies. Materials and methods: In the present study, the OSCC was induced by 4-Nitroquinoline-1-Oxide (4-NQO) in 60 S.D. rats (in 4 groups). At the same time, 3 groups of rats IP received 50, 250, and 500 mg/kg B.W. Ferula persicaEs Methanolic Extract (FPME) twice a week for 14 weeks. Results: The obtained weight differences between groups were not significant (p<0.05). Pathological changes in the treated and non-treated groups were significantly different (p<0.001). Discussion: The results showed that the FPME prevented the progress of the malignancy in the OSCC model in rats. Further investigations are necessary to clarify effective fractions, mode of action of the FPME, and its potential therapeutic application in different types of cancer