Inflammation plays a vital role in the process of carcinogenesis and anti‐inflammatory properties of phytochemicals are gaining more attention in the chemoprevention of cancer. The present study was designed to evaluate the anti‐inflammatory potential of citronellol (CT) on 7,12‐dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)‐induced mammary carcinogenesis in rats. The inflammation‐associated gene and protein markers were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot techniques. Markers such as nuclear factor‐kB (NF‐kB), tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), cyclooxygenase‐2, macrophage inflammatory protein‐1α, and inducible nitric oxide synthase are upregulated in DMBA‐alone–treated mammary tumor tissues. The oral administration of CT (50 mg/kg BW) to DMBA‐treated rats significantly downregulated the expression NF‐kB and other inflammatory markers, and also increased the level of IL‐10 in mammary tissues. The results suggested that the anti‐inflammatory potential of CT prevented the incidence of chemical carcinogen‐induced mammary cancer in rats.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.