Anti-inflammatory and Anti-angiogenic Potential of Cromolyn in 7, 12- Dimethylbenz (a) Anthracene Induced Hamster Buccal Pouch Carcinogenesis

Objectives: Cromolyn, a potent and safe anti-inflammatory drug, is used as a safe medication for the prophylactic treatment of asthma. The present study explores its anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic potential of cromolyn by analysing the expression pattern of inflammatory (NF-κB, COX-2, iNOS, IL-6 and IL-10) and angiogenic (VEGF) in 7, 12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis. Methods: Topical application of 0.5% DMBA (three times a week) in the buccal pouches of hamsters resulted in well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma after 14 w. Results: While tumor formation was observed in all the hamsters treated with DMBA alone, we noticed only precancerous lesions such as hyperkeratosis, hyperplasia, and mild dysplasia in DMBA+cromolyn treated hamsters. Furthermore, cromolyn prevented the dysregulation induced by DMBA on the expression pattern of inflammatory and angiogenic markers. Conclusion: The present study thus concludes that the tumor preventive potential of cromolyn relies on its anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic potential in 7, 12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis.