The Protective Effect of the Methanolic Extract of Ferula persica in Rat Tongue Neoplasm (Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma) induced by 4-Nitroquinoline-1-Oxide (4-NQO)

Cancer is one of the most significant causes of death around the world, and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) represents 90% of oral malignancies. Ferula persica has been used for treatment of different diseases in Iranian traditional medicine. Previous studies reveal some evidence relating to the value of preventing malignancies through F. persica. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effect of methanolic extract of Ferula persica in rat tongue neoplasm induced by 4-Nitroquinoline-1-Oxide (4-NQO). This experimental study was carried out in the pharmaceutical research center in Tabriz, Iran. According to ethical considerations, the results of the pilot study (five rats in each group) and pathologic changes in 30% of cases with considering α = 5%, P = 80%, and d = 5%, 15 samples for each group were determined. In this study, the OSCC was induced by 4-NQO in 60 SD rats (in four groups). At the same time, three groups of rats received Ferula persica methanolic extract (FPME) intraperitoneally (IP) in the doses 50, 250, and 500 mg per kilogram of body weight twice each week for 14 weeks. The obtained weight differences between groups were not significant (P = 0.18). Pathological changes in the treated and non-treated groups were significantly different (P < 0.001). After treatment, pathologic changes were seen in groups A, B, C, and D (the cancer control group) respectively as follows: mild dysplasia - 13.3%, 26.7%, 20%, and 0.0%; moderate dysplasia - 33.3%, 13.3%, 40%, and 0.0%; severe dysplasia - 33.3%, 40%, 26.7%, and 0.0%; carcinoma in situ - 6.7%, 13.3%, 6.7%, and 20%; and squamous cell carcinoma - 13.3%, 6.7%, 6.7%, and 80%. The results showed that the FPME prevented the progress of the malignancy in the OSCC model in rats. However, further investigations are necessary to clarify effective fractions, mode of action of the FPME, and its potential therapeutic application in different types of cancer.