Potential of diallyl sulfide bearing pH-sensitive liposomes in chemoprevention against DMBA-induced skin papilloma

Diallyl sulfide (DAS), an active component of garlic, possesses strong anti-neoplastic properties against various forms of cancer. In the present study, we have evaluated chemo-preventive effects of liposomized DAS (conventional egg PC and pH-sensitive liposomes) against DMBA-induced skin papilloma. Various liposome-based novel formulations of DAS (250 microg/mouse) were applied topically, after one hour of exposure to DMBA (52 microg/mouse/dose), to the animals. The animals were treated thrice weekly for the total period of 12 weeks. The efficacy of the various liposomal formulations of DAS was evaluated on the basis of parameters such as incidence of tumorogenesis and total numbers and sizes of induced tumor nodules. The liposomized DAS formulations also were assessed for their effect on the expression of p53wt, p53mut, and p21/Waf1. The results of the present study showed that liposomized DAS could effectively delay the onset of tumorogenesis and reduce the cumulative numbers and sizes of tumor papillomas in treated mice. Treatment of DMBA-exposed animals with the liposomal formulation of DAS ensued in upregulation of p53wt and p21/Waf1, while levels of p53mut expression reduced down. The promising chemo-preventive nature of liposomal DAS may form the basis for establishing effective means of controlling various forms of cancer, including skin papilloma.