Chemopreventive Potential of Diosgenin against 7, 12-**Dimethylbenz (A) Anthracene (DMBA) Induced Skin Carcinogenesis in Mice

Cancer chemoprevention by natural and synthetic agents offers significant promise for reducing the incidence and mortality of cancer.In this regard, diosgenin, [(25R)-Spirost-5-en-3-beta-ol, 22alpha-Spirost-5-en-3beta-ol] was tested against 7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-croton oil model of skin carcinogenesis in Swiss albino mice. The topical application of 5mg/Kg body weight diosgenin showed significant reduction in tumor yield, tumor burden and cumulative number of papillomas in Group II, III and IV mice in comparison to the carcinogen control. Elevation in the percent inhibition of tumor multiplicity and latency in tumor appearance were evident. Histological studies depicted change in both the epidermis and the dermis of treated animals. All the diosgenin treated groups documented regression of neoplastic changes. Scanning electron micrograph revealed regions of comparatively reduced keratinization and sub-normal epithelial surface compared to damaged surface in carcinogen control. Transmission electron micrograph of carcinogen control mice recorded disrupted epithelial cells, ruptured cell membrane and rigorous impact on mitochondria that were reduced significantly when treated with diosgenin. This controlled study on animal model identifies the chemopreventive efficacy of diosgenin for appropriate testing of hypothesis based on observational studies on humans.