Chemotherapeutic and chemopreventive effect of ZnO nanoparticles on DMBA/croton oil induced mice skin carcinogenesis

Abstract

The present study was conducted to evaluate the antitumor effect of cationic ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) on 7,12– dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) induced skin carcinogenesis in male Swiss albino mice. The effect of ZnO(NPs) on tumor growth was studied by following parameters: The tumor incidence, tumor yield, tumor burden and cumulative number of papillomas, average latent period and tumor inhibition multiplicity. DMBA was applied on the shaved back of mice for the induction of tumor and left for two weeks, after that croton oil was applied thrice a week. In experimental mice ZnO was applied from croton oil application and continued upto next 14 weeks. The tumor incidence, tumor yield, tumor burden and cumulative number of papillomas were found to be higher in the control (without ZnO  treatment) as compared to experimental animals (ZnO treated). The differences in the values of the results of experimental groups were statistically analyzed and found to be significant in comparison to the control group. The latency period in treatment of experimental groups significantly increased as compared with the control group. The average weight and diameter of tumors recorded were also comparatively lower in the ZnO(NPs)-treated  groups. Taken together, these findings indicate the chemopreventive and thearapeutic potential of ZnO (NPs).