Syringic acid may attenuate the oral mucosal carcinogenesis via improving cell surface glycoconjugation and modifying cytokeratin expression.

Syringic acid (SRA) is an excellent anti-oxidant and anti-cancer property in various in vitro and in vivo studies. In the present study was modifying effect of SRA on 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) induced cell surface glycoconjugates (GCs) abnormalities in the plasma and buccal mucosa of golden Syrian hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis (HBPCs). Topical application of DMBA three times a week for 10 weeks on the buccal pouches of the hamsters resulted in well developed squamous cell carcinoma. GCs status was assessed biochemically, histological and immunoexpression pattern of cytokeratin (CK) in the buccal mucosa of the DMBA treated hamsters. Elevated levels of GCs and CK expression were observed in DMBA alone treated hamsters. Oral pre-administration of SRA (50 mg/kg bw) positively modulates the GCs levels and CK expressions to near normal. The present findings suggested that SRA can protect cell surface GCs and CK expression during DMBA induced HBPCs.