Genetic and epigenetic instability induced by betel quid associated chemicals

Smokeless Tobacco Is a Major Risk Factor for Oral Cancer in South and Southeast Asia

OBJECTIVE

This review presents an overview of the current knowledge on smokeless tobacco and oral cancer, with a specific focus on South and Southeast Asia.

METHOD

The recent literature on the association of smokeless tobacco and oral cancer, its biological mechanisms, and policies for prevention and control, was reviewed. In addition, its role in the causation of oral cancer and allied diseases was assessed its biological mechanisms resulting in deleterious health outcomes and steps to control its use.

RESULTS

Of the more than 360 million people who consume smokeless tobacco globally, nearly 80% reside in the region. The evidence of an association between the numerous SLT products consumed in the region and oral cancer is well established, with oral snuff and gutkha showing the strongest association. More than 4000 chemical ingredients are present in these products, many of which are involved in the intricate biological pathways leading to carcinogenesis.

CONCLUSION

Given the deep cultural integration of SLT products, effective control measures require multifaceted approaches that combine education, regulation, and community engagement. Collaborative efforts among governments, healthcare professionals, and communities are essential to address this urgent issue and mitigate the substantial human and economic costs.

Downregulation of SMAD2 and SMAD4 is associated with poor prognosis and shorter survival in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ESCC) presents a serious global health challenge, ranking among the most prevalent cancers worldwide. Small mothers against decapentaplegic 2 (SMAD2) and SMAD4 play a significant role in various types of cancer.

METHODS

This study performed relative mRNA expression level profiling of SMAD2 and SMAD4 using Real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in tissue and blood of ESCC patients and analyzed their associations with numerous clinical and lifestyle parameters for evaluating prognostic significance along with survival and hazard outcomes.

RESULTS

SMAD2 and SMAD4 relative expression level showed downregulation in both tissue (85% and 87% respectively) and blood samples (80% and 79% respectively), and a significant positive correlation (p < 0.05) between their relative expression level was observed in both tissue and blood levels. Various clinicopathological parameters and food habits revealed significant association (p < 0.05) with SMAD2 and SMAD4 relative expression level. While analyzing survival and hazard in ESCC patients, various parameters revealed significant association (p < 0.05) in univariate model and histopathology grade, node stage, stage of metastasis, betel nut consumption, smoked food consumption and altered SMAD2 and SMAD4 relative expression level in tissue samples revealed significant association (p < 0.05) in the multivariate model, indicating their direct association with ESCC patients' survival and this makes them reliable predictors for ESCC prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

This study's results revealed that downregulation of SMAD2 and SMAD4 is associated with poor prognosis and ESCC progression emphasizing their potential as potent prognostic factors for survival prediction as well as reliable biomarkers for screening.

Alkaloids and nitrosamines in betel quid: A biochemical exploration of carcinogenicity

Betel quid contains two major ingredients; Areca catechu and Piper betel, often consumed with slaked lime, tobacco, certain flavouring agents, colouring agents, herbs, and spices according to personal preferences. The areca nut alkaloids (arecoline, arecaidine, guvacine, and guvacoline), and tobacco alkaloids (nicotine, nornicotine) undergo nitrosation during chewing in the oral cavity with the presence of nitrite and thiocyanate and endogenously. Among the nitrosation products generated areca nut-derived nitrosamine (ADNA): 3-(methylnitrosamino) Propionitrile (MNPN) and the two tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs); N'-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone) (NNK) are considered Group 1 human carcinogens. The slaked lime increases pH, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and inflammation further lead to oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD). The juice swallowed results in carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, and toxicity in the gastrointestinal tract including hepatocytic carcinoma, stomach, and colon cancer. Areca nut pre-treatments (sun drying, roasting, boiling, and fermentation) increase the quid metabolism, and reduce the arecoline content and associated risks. We review biochemical carcinogenesis of betel quid ingredients and synergic adverse effects and possible mechanism of carcinogenesis of betel quid in the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract to understand the implication of polyphenols and alkaloids of areca nut and betel quid on carcinogenic nitrosamine formation under oral, gastric, and intestinal conditions.

Scirpusin B isolated from Passiflora edulis Var. flavicarpa attenuates carbohydrate digestive enzymes, pathogenic bacteria and oral squamous cell carcinoma

Passiflora edulis Var. flavicarpa (passion fruit) generates vast waste (60-70%) in the form of peel and seed after the juice extraction. The study aimed to isolate Scirpusin B (SB) from passion fruit (PF) seed waste collected from Northeast India and to analyse its anti-radical, antibacterial, anti-diabetic, and anti-oral cancer activities. Scirpusin B was isolated following hydro-alcoholic extraction, fractionation, and column chromatography. The isolated fraction was further identified through NMR and mass spectroscopy. SB exhibited significant antiradical activity against six standard antioxidant compounds, indicating its commercial application. SB inhibited α-amylase (IC50 Value: 76.38 ± 0.25 µg/mL) and α-glucosidase digestive enzymes (IC50 Value: 2.32 ± 0.04 µg/mL), signifying its antidiabetic properties. In addition, SB showed profound antibacterial activity against eight gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria reported for the first time. Furthermore, SB inhibited SAS and TTN oral cancer cell proliferation up to 95% and 83%, respectively. SB significantly inhibited colonies of SAS and TTn cells in the clonogenic assay, attributing to its anticancer properties. The PI-FACS assay confirmed the ability of SB (75 µM) to kill SAS and TTn cells by 40.26 and 44.3% in 72 h. The mechanism of SB inhibiting oral cancer cell proliferation was understood through western blot analysis, where SB significantly suppressed different cancer hallmark proteins, such as TNF-α, survivin, COX-2, cyclin D1, and VEGF-A. The present study suggests that SB isolated from PF seed can add noteworthy value to the waste biomass for various industrial and medical applications.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-023-03876-6.

The Controversial Roles of Areca Nut: Medicine or Toxin?

Areca nut (AN) is used for traditional herbal medicine and social activities in several countries. It was used as early as about A.D. 25-220 as a remedy. Traditionally, AN was applied for several medicinal functions. However, it was also reported to have toxicological effects. In this review article, we updated recent trends of research in addition to acquire new knowledge about AN. First, the history of AN usage from ancient years was described. Then, the chemical components of AN and their biological functions was compared; arecoline is an especially important compound in AN. AN extract has different effects caused by different components. Thus, the dual effects of AN with pharmacological and toxicological effects were summarized. Finally, we described perspectives, trends and challenges of AN. It will provide the insight of removing or modifying the toxic compounds of AN extractions for enhancing their pharmacological activity to treat several diseases in future applications.