Betel Quid Carcinogenesis in the Baboon

Abstract

12 baboons were divided into 2 groups; 5 received the basic betel quid in a surgically-created buccal mucosal pouch, and 7 had Indian tobacco added to the quid. Calcium hydroxide, coupled with a basic protein deficiency induced in the animals, served to condition the buccal pouch mucosa. Chronic, ulcerative lesions occurred in animals on the basic quid after 30 months, yet frank malignancies were not noted histologically after 34 months of treatment. On the other hand, the betel/tobacco quid which also caused ulcerative, hemorrhagic lesions after 30 months, produced malignant invasion in 1 animal after 34 months of treatment.

Monkey Models in Dental Research

“…Hamner and Reed [24,26] surgically modified the buccal mucosa of Papio cynocephalus baboons to create a pouch for the lodgement of betel quid and Indian tobacco in an attempt to identify the cocarcinogenic activity of these substances. Five baboons had the basic betel quid (betel leaf, areca nut and lime) inserted into the surgical pouch three times a week for 48 months.…”