Carvacrol as a Promising Topical Agent against DMBA-Induced Oral Cancer in Rats: In vivo Study

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Carvacrol, a naturally occurring phenolic monoterpenoid compound found in various essential oils, exhibits outstanding pharmacological characteristics, essentially anticancer, antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic effects. This study evaluates the therapeutic potential of carvacrol as a topical agent in preventing and treating DMBA-induced oral cancer in rats through <i>in vivo</i> assessment of its anticancer efficacy and histopathological effects. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> This study was designed to investigate the chemopreventive and therapeutic potential of topically applied carvacrol in a rat model of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA). The expression of Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) and B-cell lymphoma/leukemia-2 (Bcl-2), markers of proliferation and apoptosis, respectively, was estimated by immunohistochemical staining. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA with Tukey's <i>post hoc</i> test and Pearson's correlation, following normality confirmation (p>0.05), with results summarized using descriptive statistics. <b>Results:</b> Noteworthy declines in both PCNA and Bcl-2 expression were noticed in groups treated with carvacrol, either concurrently with DMBA or following its application. The group receiving carvacrol alternately with DMBA showed the most noticeable suppression in both markers. <b>Conclusion:</b> These results highlight carvacrol's dual character in quashing carcinogenesis and stimulating apoptotic cell death, supporting its potential as a safe, natural therapeutic agent for OSCC intervention.