Abstract

ANALYSIS OF OXIDATIVE STRESS INDUCED BY DIFFERENT TOBACCO SAMPLES AND THE PROTECTIVE EFFECT BY CERTAIN PLANT EXTRACTS

Maji Jose, Vengal Ipe Varghese, Varsha Jayakar, Vinayak Lokapur, Srinivasa K., *Manjula Shantaram

Abstract

The tobacco use has spread with significant rapidity percolating into all sections of the society. Although tobacco usage is not a new problem, it has become a source of increasing concern due to the increase in realization of its volume, awful morbidity and mortality. Numerous modes of action by which tobacco carcinogens induce cancer have been recognised, including tobacco induced oxidative stress through production of reactive oxygen species. Cellular antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase and free radical scavengers like reduced glutathione and vitamins A, C, and E protect cells and tissues against noxious radicals. To analyze the extent of oxidative stress that is induced by tobacco in different forms, selected concentrations of alcoholic extracts of various tobacco products, ranging from 100- 300μgs were added to oral epithelial cell culture. Melondialdehyde and reduced glutathione were estimated as a measure of oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. Treatment of cell culture with mango leaf extract, coconut husk extract and areca husk extract along with tobacco samples have shown a significant variation in oxidative parameters such as melondialdehyde and reduced glutathione levels and antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase activity indicating protective effect.

Keywords: Oxidative stress, Tobacco, Mango leaves, Coconut husk, Areca nut husk.