Objectives: Combining the anti - tumor effect of thymoquinone (TQ) with the efficient penetration of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) into cells and nuclei as an attempt to treat the induced oral squamous cell carcinoma in buccal pouch of hamster.
Materials and methods: This study was carried out on forty two male Syrian golden hamsters (n=42), its age ranged from 6 to 7 weeks, weighting 90-110 gm. Animals were housed with controlled temperature and were given pellets formed of seeds, grain, cracked corn and tap water ad libitum. The hamsters were divided into: Group A: (Control groups) n=24, Group A1: eighteen animals (n=18) were served as “negative control" . Sub-group A1a: Six animals were sacrificed at day zero. Sub-group A1b: Six animals were sacrificed at 14th week. Sub-group A1c: Six animals were sacrificed at 20th week. Group A2: Six animals (n=6) were considered as “positive control". DMBA was painted to the left cheek pouches, three times /week for 14weeks. Group B: Eighteen animals (n=18) were painted with DMBA to left cheek pouches three times/week for 14weeks, and subdivided into: Sub-group B1: Six animals were injected intra-peritoneal with GNPs/3 times/week for six weeks. Sub-group B2: Six animals were injected intra-peritoneal with TQ/3 times/week for six weeks.Sub-group B3: Six animals were injected intra-peritoneal with GNPs-TQ/3 times/ week for six weeks. All pouches were extracted and prepared to examined through histological examination for any structural changes and immunohistological detection of COX2.
Results: Improve superior anti-inflammatory role of TQ when loaded with GNPS in COX-2 retardation and tumor size regression.
Conclusion: Thymoquinon loaded on nanogold particle showed protective role in the oral cancer.