Aim: To evaluate the anticancer effect of resveratrol alone or combined with 5-Fu on experimentally- induced tongue cancer in rats.
Methodology: Forty male albino rats were divided into five groups: Group I: untreated (negative control), group II: positive-control, receiving 50 ppm 4-NQO in drinking water, group III: received i.p injection of (5-FU), group IV: oral-administration of resveratrol (RV), and group V: receiving both RV and 5-FU. Before euthanasia, blood samples were withdrawn to evaluate serum level of ALT, AST and creatinine. After euthanasia, the tongues were surgically excised, and processed for H&E, and mutant p53 IHC. The mean of positive cells/group were statistically analyzed.
Results: Group I showed normal tongue mucosa with negative immune expression of mutant p53 cells. Group II revealed malignant ulcers in a form of well/moderately differentiated SCC, and the highest mean of mutant p53 immuno-expression. Group III showed mild dysplasia of the tongue epithelium with a significant regression of the mean number of mutant p53 positive-cells. Group IV expressed moderate dysplasia, with a significantly high mean of mutant p53. Group V showed mild dysplasia with comparable mean of mutated p53 positive cells. Regarding toxicity, group II showed the maximum elevation of ALT, AST, and serum creatinine. These levels were decreased significantly in the treated groups, but high compared to Group I.
Conclusion: Resveratrol has a promising therapeutic effect against 4NQO- induced tongue cancer as 5-FU alone. Also, it diminished the cytotoxic effect of 5-FU and enhanced normal histologic-appearance of tongue mucosa when used in combination.