EFFECT OF GYNOSTEMMA PENTAPHYLLUM MAK ON CARCINOMATOUS CONVERSIONS OFGOLDEN-HAMSTER CHEEK POUCHES INDUCED BY DIMETHYLBENZANTHRACENE - A HISTOLOGICAL STUDY

Objective To evaluate the effect of gynostemma pentaphyllum mak (GP) o n carcinomatous conversions of leukoplasia of the golden hamster cheek pouch induced by dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA). Methods 284 golden ha msters, ranging from 4 to 8 weeks of age, 80 to 100 grams in weight we re randomly divided into three groups: control, model and experimental groups. Control group (8 hamsters) were sacrificed at week 0 and week 12 for control. Model group (123 hamsters) were pasted in bilateral c heek pouches with 0.5% DMBA, 3 times a week for establishment of exper imental leukoplasia, and sacrificed at week 2 to week 9 (12-22 hamster s were sacrificed a week). Experimental group (153 hamsters) were divi ded into three subgroups. Subgroup A underwent simultaneous DMBA pasti ng and oral taking of GP, and were sacrificed at week 6 and week 9. Su bgroup B underwent oral taking of GP for 12 weeks after completion of DMBA pasting. Subgroup C underwent DMBA pasting after completion of or al taking of GP for 12 weeks. Results The earliest epithelial dysplasi a and carcinoma in situ occurred at week 3 and week 6 after DMBA pasti ng. There were significant differences between subgroup B and model gr oup for 3 weeks' administration of DMBA (P< 0.05), and between subgrou p C and model group (P< 0.01), while there was no difference between s ubgroup B and model group for 6 week's administration of DMBA (P>0.05) . Conclusions GP could inhibit and reverse the carcinomatous conversio ns of leukoplasia of golden hamster cheek pouches, indicating its posi tive anticarcinogenic effect.