Effect of tannic acid on benzo[a]pyrene-DNA adduct formation in mouse epidermis: comparison with synthetic gallic acid esters.

Tannic acid, a naturally occurring plant phenol, was shown to inhibit the mutagenicity and/or tumorigenicity of several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in mouse skin. In this study the effect of topical application of tannic acid on epidermal aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase, glutathione S-transferase, and binding of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) to epidermal DNA was compared with the activity of synthetic gallic acid esters. Single topical application of 8 mumol octyl and dodecyl gallate had no effect on the induction of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase, whereas propyl gallate and tannic acid increased the enzyme activity by nearly 200%. Application of the phenolics one hour before 0.2 mumol of B[a]P enhanced the enzyme activity, but the observed differences were not significant in comparison with a B[a]P-treated group of mice. Application of dodecyl and octyl gallates to mouse skin resulted in three- and twofold increases, respectively, in the activity of glutathione S-transferase. Combined treatment with dodecyl gallate and B[a]P also resulted in significant enhancement of this enzyme activity. Application of the same dose of tannic acid to mouse skin one hour before the application of 0.2 or 1 mumol of B[a]P afforded 60% inhibition of covalent benzo[a]pyrene-diol-epoxide binding to epidermal DNA. Gallic acid esters with the exception of dodecyl gallate were less effective inhibitors of benzo[a]pyrene-diol-epoxide binding, especially when the higher dose of B[a]P was used. These results indicate that the antitumorigenic activity of tannic acid involves the interaction of the ultimate carcinogen with DNA rather than an altered metabolism. The linkage between gallic acid and glucose in natural plant phenols is also more effective at inhibiting B[a]P binding to epidermal DNA than the linkage with the alkyl group in synthetic gallates.