%0 Journal Article
%T A Cytogenetic Study on the Efficacy of Chyawanprash Awaleha as an Antioxidant in Oral Premalignant Cancer
%A A. N. Uma
%A Dhananjay S. Kotasthane
%J Journal of Oral Oncology
%D 2014
%R 10.1155/2014/864230
%X Background. Chyawanprash awaleha (Cp) is an Ayurvedic rasayana formulation and is used as a genoprotective agent. Objective. The present cytogenetic study has been done to investigate the efficacy of Cp against betel quid chewers suffering from oral precancerous lesions through satellite association (SA) assay. Materials and Methods. The frequency of SA was analyzed in 21 betel quid chewing oral precancerous lesions patients and then they were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 consisted of 15 patients, advised to quit betel quid chewing and fed with 20£¿gms of Cp, twice a day for three months. Group 2 consisted of 6 patients, who refused Cp feed but accepted to quit betel quid chewing. At the end of three months, both groups were assessed cytogenetically. Results. The frequency of SA was statistically significant in both groups, but an elevated mean difference was observed more in Group 1 than in Group 2. Conclusion. The study indicates that betel quid cessation reduces the effect of DNA damage in oral precancerous lesions. But the increased mean difference in SA in Group 1 compared to Group 2 clearly indicates that Cp can further minimize the genotoxic effect caused by mutagenic agents present in betel quid. 1. Introduction In India, annually 130,000 people die of tobacco related oral cancer taking it to a third position as the most common cancer [1]. Detection, histopathological investigation, genetic tests, creating awareness for tobacco cessation, and treating tobacco related oral cancer patients in their premalignant state are the only hope in lessening the mortality and morbidity associated with the disease. Identifying the patients of their genetic damage through cytogenetic studies and treating them with Chyawanprash Awaleha, an antioxidant, seemed to be a promising strategy and an attractive alternative that reduces toxic effects of tobacco. Chyawanprash Awaleha is an Ayurvedic rasayana formulation, prepared from more than 40 herbs, with Phyllanthus emblica, a rich source of antioxidants as its primary content [2]. Chyawanprash Awaleha known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticarcinogenic properties has been used in India as a health food continuously for the past 4000 years [3]. It is almost a house old product in India and is taken as a health food by the young and old people. The last four decades have witnessed the introduction of a number of relatively rapid genetic tests for detecting the activity of mutagenic and/or carcinogenic chemicals. Among them, satellite chromosomes in associations appear to be one of the most suitable
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/joo/2014/864230/