RESUMEN
Investigation of the apoptotic potential of garlic as an anticarcinogenic agent on induced oral carcinogenesis in albino rats. A total of 75 male albino rats were randomized into five groups, 15 animals in each. Group 1 [control] received no treatment, Group 2 received 7,12-DMBA in their palatal mucosa for squamous cell carcinoma [SCC] induction, Group 3 received intra-gastric aqueous garlic extract, Group 4 received aqueous garlic extract two weeks earlier before induction of SCC and Group 5 received DMBA then started garlic administration. At the end of the experiment the palatal soft tissue was prepared for heamatoxlyin and eosin and immunohistochemical examination done. The stained sections were assessed by light microscope as well as image analyzer and the data obtained were statistically evaluated. Heamatoxylin and eosin stained sections for group 1 revealed normal epithelium while, Group 2 showed SCC that was preceded by hyperplasia then dysplasia. Group 3 revealed normal epithelium, but with increased thickness of keratin layer. Group 4 revealed normal epithelium with some areas that were hyperplastic but without signs of dysplasia. Meanwhile in group 5 58% of the rats had developed carcinoma, while 42% of them showed hyperplasia and hyperkeratosis with absence of dysplasia. Immunohistochemical examination demonstrated that p53 expression in group 2 was the highest, while its expression in group 1, 3 and 4 was in a very low level and the expression in group 5 was in a moderate level. The Bax expression was weak in groups 1, 2 and 3 and in group 4 highest while in group 5 moderate level. Garlic could represent one of the chemopreventive agents that may inhibit, retard or block the process of carcinogenesis through induction of apoptosis. Moreover, garlic exerts its protective effects through inhibition of the initiation phase and diminution of promotion as well as progression phases of carcinogenesis