Toxicological evaluation of pan masala in pure inbred Swiss mice: A preliminary report on long-term exposure study

Pan masala, a product similar to betel quid in powder form, is stated to be a combination of ingredients like betel nut, catechu, lime, sandal oil, me nthol, cardamom, flavour spices, fennel seeds, sugar, waxes, til seeds, col ours, etc. Pan masalas are consumed abundantly even by those who generally refrain from smoking or with other tobacco addictions. Use of pan masala is considered to be harmless. In this study, the carcinogenic potential of pa n masala was determined by exposing pure inbred Swiss mice of both sexes to pan masala mixed in feed in 2% concentration for eighty weeks in total, bu t the schedule of sacrifice of 6 animals from each group was started after 16 and 56 weeks of exposure, in order to find out the earlier tumour recurr ence, if any, in these groups. Pan masala in 2% concentration in feed fed f or 16 weeks could not produce any tumour, but after 56 weeks of exposure in sada pan masala group, 4 out of 12 animals were observed with tumours. But , in the group having tobacco as one of the constituents, 7 out of 12 anima ls showed tumours primarily affecting lungs, stomach, liver, testis, ovary and adrenal. In the control group, 1 out of 12 animals developed tumours, s uggesting that the pan masala may be carcinogenic and habitual pan masala u se in humans may exert carcinogenic influence.