Concomitant using of topical carrageenan-kappa and oral vitamin d against 7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene induced-oral cancer in rats: A synergism or an antagonism effects

Abstract

Objective: κ-carrageenan is a food stabilizer agent which has an antiproliferative effect, while vitamin D is a prohormone acts on the nuclear receptor and has a cytotoxic against cancer. This study aimed to show the synergistic effect of using topical κ-carrageenan and oral administration of the vitamin D on the 7, 12-dimethylbenz[a] anthracene (DMBA)-induced oral cancer. Material and Methods: fifty four male albino rats were randomly divided into seven groups: Acetone-treated served as control (Group I), vitamin D (5000UI)-treated (Group II), κ-carrageenan (1%)-treated (Group III), DMBA (0.5%)-treated (Group IV), Acetone, κ-carrageenan and DMBA were administered topically on both cheeks and palate, five times weekly for 12 weeks, while the vitamin D was administered orally twice weekly for 12 weeks. Groups V, VI, and VII were animals treated with vitamin D, κ-carrageenan, and both vitamin D and κ-carrageenan for 8 weeks after induction of oral cancer. At the end of the study, blood samples were obtained by cardiac puncture for determination of TNF-α and EGFR. Results: In the groups III and IV, serum EGFR showed significant low levels compared with Group I. In the Group VII, serum EGFR showed a significantly (p=0.014) low level compared with Group IV (614.3±69.7 pg/ml versus 882.4±45.6 pg/ml, respectively). Higher percentages of high levels of TNF-α were observed in the Groups VI and VII, while a lower percentage of EGFR was observed in the Group VI. Conclusion: both κ-carrageenan and vitamin D have antiproliferative effect against DMBA-inducing oral cancer by increasing the levels of TNF-α and suppressing the signaling pathway of EGFR. Concomitant using κ-carrageenan and vitamin D reduces the antiproliferative effect of each other.