The Indian system of traditional medicine has documented diverse pharmacological effects of Cissus quadrangularis, including anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. The present study is indented to evaluate and explore the tumor preventive potential of the ethanolic extract of Cissus quadrangularis leaves (CqELet) in 7,12-dimethylbenza(a)nthracene (DMBA) induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis. The tumor preventive efficacy of CqELet was determined by analysing the status of biomarkers (TBARS, Antioxidants, phase I and Phase II detoxification agents) and using histopathological studies, in addition to the observation of the tumor incidence during the experimental period. Although CqELet attenuated the tumor formation and restored the biochemical variables in the pre-initiation phase, tumor formation in the buccal pouch was noticed in 33% of the animals in the post- initiation phase. The results of the present study thus warrant for extending the experimental period to confirm the tumor preventive ability of CqELet in the preinitiation phase.
