EVALUATION OF DIFFERENTIAL MONOCYTES IN THE DMBA/HCPE CARCINOGENESIS MODEL UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF SOME PHYTOCHEMICAL AGENTS

Dimethylbenza-a-anthracene (DMBA), is a potent carcinogen that has an immunosuppressive effect on hamsters. Nigella sativa whole oil (NSO) and thymoquinone (TQ), are phytochemicals that have an antioxidant and protective action on the hamster cheek pouch epithelium (HCPE/DMBA) carcinogenesis model.
The aim is to find which of the two ingredients TQ & NSO has more immune-enhancing activity comparable with its protective and/or chemotherapeutic activity against the carcinogenic effect of DMBA on HCPE, through evaluation of different peripheral monocytes.
Material &methods: NS whole oil (NSO), and thymoquinone (TQ) were given before-, with- or after DMBA painting the hamster’s left cheek pouch. Before each animal’s sacrificing, two ml of blood was drawn in a fine heparinized capillary tube to estimate the total WBCs, total lymphocytes, MID cells, and granulocyte’s count by an automatic count system (Cell-DYN1700).
Blood results were statistically analyzed using One-way ANOVA test between groups for each phase followed by LSD (Least Square Difference) test for multiple comparisons between different phases. All pouches were surgically-excised and examined microscopically to compare the histopathologic changes of DMBA-painted pouches, NSO-and TQ-treated groups, with untreated pouches as well as pouches of the untreated group.
Histopathologic results: the groups given each of the tested ingredients for 2 wks showed normal appearing thin epithelium, with slight hyper-keratinization as compared with untreated pouches. Severe epithelial dysplasia was seen after 6 wks of DMBA, but when NSO or TQ was given for 2wks followed by DMBA for 6wks, mild dysplasia was seen i.e. both have protective effect. When DMBA for 6wks was followed by NSO or TQ for 6wks mild dysplasia was recorded .i.e. both had a therapeutic effect through regressing severe dysplasia to mild dysplasia in 6 weeks.
Mononuclear cells results: DMBA for 6wks resulted in statistically significant reduction in total WBCs &lymphocyte counts than control group, as well as when DMBA for 6wks was followed