Oxidative stress arises when the generation of free radicals exceeds the capacity of the body’s antioxidant defense and repair mechanisms, leading to unchecked oxidative damage. These reactive oxygen species (ROS) significantly contribute to molecular degradation, promote neoplastic alterations at the cellular level, and exert a profound impact on all phases of the cancer development process. In the Indian subcontinent, oral potentially malignant disorders such as leukoplakia and oral submucous fibrosis are widespread, and often associated with habits such as tobacco chewing and areca nut use. This investigation focused on quantifying salivary concentrations of 8-OHDG, SOD, and GPx in patients diagnosed with OPMD and OSCC, both with and without concurrent diabetes mellitus. The levels of biomarkers were determined using an ELISA assay protocol. Specifically, 40 μL of sample diluent was dispensed into each well along with 10 μL of the saliva sample. Following proper sealing, the plates were incubated for 45 minutes at 37 °C. Post incubation, the wells underwent aspiration and a series of five washing cycles, each lasting approximately 1–3 minutes. Subsequently, an HRP-linked diagnostic antibody was added to initiate signal detection. This study represents an early effort to analyze markers of oxidative stress—namely 8-OHDG, SOD, and GPx—in saliva samples from OPMD and OSCC patients, with and without diabetes mellitus, aiming to understand their diagnostic relevance.
