The aim of the study was to investigate the chemopreventive potential of andrographolide in 7,12-dimethylbenz(a) anthracene (DMBA)-induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis. Oral tumors developed in the buccal pouch of golden Syrian hamsters at a 100% incidence on painting with 0.5% DMBA in liquid paraffin three times a week for 14 weeks. Marked abnormalities in the status of detoxification enzymes, lipid perxodiation and antioxidants were noticed in hamsters treated with DMBA alone. Oral administration of andrographolide at a dose of 50 mg/kg bw to hamsters treated with DMBA not only completely prevented the tumor formation but also restored the status of the above mentioned biomarkers. The present study thus demonstrates the chemopreventive potential of andrographolide in DMBA-induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis, which is probably due to its antioxidant potential as well as modulating effect on xenobiotic metabolising enzymes during DMBA-induced oral carcinogenesis.