Plant-Based Antioxidant Extracts and Compounds in the Management of Oral Cancer

Investigating the impact of Terminalia chebula, an underutilized functional fruit, on oral squamous cell carcinoma: Exploring cell death mechanisms

ETHNOPHARMALOGICAL RELEVANCE

Terminalia chebula, known for its extensive use in traditional medicinal practices among indigenous cultures, is recognized for its effectiveness in treating various oral disorders. Healers in India and China utilize the ripe fruits of T. chebula to prevent and manage conditions such as dental cavities, gingivitis, bleeding gums and stomatitis. The fruits have also been traditionally used in Ayurvedic and Siddha medicines for treatment of various diseases including anticancer properties. It is also an important component of Tibetan traditional medicine used for the treatment of cancer. Studies have demonstrated the efficacy of T. chebula against lung and colon carcinoma.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Despite its historical significance in oral health, the potential of T. chebula against oral cancer has not been explored, warranting further investigation into its bioactive properties. This study aims to explore the therapeutic potential of the hydroalcoholic extract of Terminalia chebula fruits and its fractions against oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) using SCC9 cells focusing on their cytotoxicity, anti-proliferative effect and the synergistic action of its ethyl-acetate fraction with cisplatin (CP). Additionally it seeks to identify the bioactive phytoconstituents in EAF were identified using LC-ESI-QTOF-MS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Antioxidant activity of TYH and its fraction were assessed using DPPH and ABTS assays. Total phenolic (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were quantified via Folin-ciocalteau and alluminium chloride assays respectively. Cytotoxic and antiproliferative effects were assessed using MTT assay, clonogenic assay and cell migration assay. Apoptosis in EAF treated SCC9 cells was analysed by using DAPI, Giemsa staining and flow cytometry using Annexin V-FITC/PI apoptosis detection kit. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was assessed using H2DCFDA, western blotting examined expression of apoptosis related proteins in SCC9 cells. Combinational effect of EAF with cisplatin (CP) was also assessed and phytochemical constituents of EAF were analysed using LC-ESI-QTOF-MS.

RESULTS

The ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) showed the highest antioxidant activity (IC50 value of 8.16 ± 0.59 μg/mL and 4.99 ± 0.82 μg/mL in DPPH and ABTS assays respectively) which reciprocated with a high TPC and TFC (528.46 ± 2.59 mgGAE/g and 49.10 ± 1.61 mgQE/g dry weight of the extract respectively) content. EAF significantly reduced cell viability with an IC50 value of 86.73 ± 0.55 μg/mL, resulted in dose dependent cell death, and prevented the proliferation and migration in SCC9 cells. Further Annexin V-PI based flow cytometric analysis and caspase-3/7 enzyme activity assay confirmed the apoptotic effect of EAF in SCC9 cells. Intrinsic pathway of apoptosis post treatment with EAF was confirmed by western blotting with marker proteins, Bax, Bcl-2, Mcl-1, cleaved caspase, procaspase and PARP. A combinatorial study of EAF with the standard drug cisplatin also indicated a synergistic effect of the fraction in cisplatin treated cells with a CI value of 0.67571. LC-ESI-QTOF-MS led to identification of the presence of phenolics and gallotannins with anticancer properties in EAF.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates the potential of the hydroalcoholic extract of Terminalia chebula fruits (TYH), especially its ethyl acetate fraction (EAF), as a therapeutic agent against oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Synergistic Action of Vanillic Acid-Coated Titanium Oxide Nanoparticles: Targeting Biofilm Formation Receptors of Dental Pathogens and Modulating Apoptosis Genes for Enhanced Oral Anticancer Activity

The prevalence of bacterial and fungal infections is caused by S. aureus, S. mutans, E. faecalis, and Candida albicans are often associated with dental illnesses. In the present study, a unique strategy was used to combat these diseases by fabricating titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) conjugated with the plant-based molecule vanillic acid (VA). To confirm the structural characterization of the synthesized VA-TiO2 NPs, an extensive analysis was carried out utilizing methods such as SEM, FTIR, and XRD. Assessments for scavenging reactive oxygen species were performed to evaluate its antioxidant capability. Furthermore, a zone of inhibition test targeting pathogenic oral bacteria was used to assess the antibacterial efficacy of VA-TiO2 NPs. Molecular modeling investigations were performed to better understand the interactions among vanillic acid and dental pathogen receptors using the Autodock program. The findings indicated that VA-TiO2 NPs exhibited strong free radical scavenging activity. Additionally, they showed excellent antibacterial action towards dental pathogens, with a minimum inhibition level of 60 μg/mL. Furthermore, at doses of 15 μg/mL, 30 μg/mL, 60 μg/mL, and 120 μg/mL, VA-TiO2 NPs demonstrated concentration-dependent apoptotic impacts on human oral carcinoma cells. Apoptotic gene over-expression was identified by the molecular perspectives that revealed the anticancer mechanism of VA-TiO2 NPs on KB cells. This study highlights the promising suitability of VA-TiO2 NPs for dental applications due to their robust antioxidant, anticancer, and antimicrobial characteristics. These nanoparticles present an evident prospect for addressing oral pathogen challenges and improving overall oral health.

Potential Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Activity of Caralluma indica Seed Extract

Background: Plant-derived phytochemicals are crucial in fighting bacterial infections and in cancer therapy. Objective: This study investigates the phytochemical composition of the ethanolic extract obtained from Caralluma indica (C. indica) seeds and assesses its antimicrobial, anticancer, and antioxidant activities. Results: GC-MS analysis found 30 phytochemicals in C. indica seeds, including 5 bioactive compounds that have been shown to have antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxicity properties, through in silico evaluation. Phytochemical screening of C. indica identified and measured the phenolic compounds, providing insight into its bioactive potential and therapeutic properties. C. indica exhibited robust antioxidant capacity (DPPH, ABTS, nitric oxide, and H2O2 radical scavenging) alongside potent antimicrobial activity against oral pathogen and cytotoxicity activity on a human oral squamous carcinoma cell line (OECM-1) (EC50 of 169.35 µg/mL) and yeast cell Saccharomyces cerevisiae (215.82 µg/mL), with a selective index of 1.27. The subminimum % MBC/MFC of C. indica significantly reduced biofilm formation against oral pathogens (p < 0.05). Molecular docking studies showed a strong correlation (r = 0.862) between antifungal and anticancer targets, suggesting that the antimicrobial agents in C. indica contribute to cancer prevention mechanisms. Conclusions: These findings propose C. indica seeds as promising candidates for combating oral pathogens, inhibiting biofilm formation, and reducing the risk of oral cancer progression.

Structural and functional optimization of glycoprotein-enzymes for targeted biocatalysis in oral squamous cell carcinoma

The efficacy of optimized glycoproteinenzymes as a novel therapeutic approach for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) was tested in this study. The stability and viability of SCC-25 and HN4 operating-system cell lines were characterized. Both lines were confirmed to have a spindle-like morphology for SCC-25, while HN4 cells exhibited cobblestone-like clusters. Viability decreased with time for cell clones SCC-25 was 95 % and 80 % after five days, while HN4 was 94 % and 79 %. Enzyme 1, expression in E. coli and Pichia pastoris to high purity recombinant glycoprotein-enzymes. Activities of these enzymes varied equally among experimental conditions. The enzyme showed an activity of 18 units at Condition D as active max, Enzyme 2 retraced 16 units, and Enzyme 3 reached this point in the same condition. Differences in activity between different conditions were also found in various experimental conditions. In therapeutic assessments, glycoprotein-enzyme treatment lowered OSCC cell viability with IC50 values of 10-15 g/ml. Successful cellular localization could be detected primarily in the cytoplasm and nucleus of live animal tissue following treatment with those therapies. In preclinical xenograft models, treatment resulted in a 40-50 % reduction in tumour volume and growth rates, with treated tumours displaying a 60 % decrease in Ki-67, a 50 % reduction in Bcl-2, and a 70 % increase in cleaved caspase-3. Additionally, the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio increased by 80 %, and CD31 staining revealed a 40 % reduction in microvessel density. These results suggest that optimized glycoprotein enzyme therapy effectively inhibits tumour growth, induces apoptosis and reduces angiogenesis, thus laying a solid foundation for its application in clinical therapy of OSCC.

Dietary plants for oral cancer prevention and therapy: A review of preclinical and clinical studies

Oral cancer is a disease with high mortality and rising incidence worldwide. Although fragmentary literature on the anti-oral cancer effects of plant products has been published, a comprehensive analysis is lacking. In this work, a critical and comprehensive evaluation of oral cancer preventative or therapeutic effects of dietary plants was conducted. An exhaustive analysis of available data supports that numerous dietary plants exert anticancer effects, including suppression of cell proliferation, viability, autophagy, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis while promoting cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Plant extracts and products target several cellular mechanisms, such as the reversal of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and the promotion of oxidative stress and mitochondrial membrane dysfunction by modulation of various signaling pathways. These agents were also found to regulate cellular growth signaling pathways by action on extracellular signal-regulated kinase and mitogen-activated protein kinase, inflammation via modulation of cyclooxygenase (COX)-1, COX-2, and nuclear factor-κB p65, and metastasis through influence of cadherins and matrix metalloproteinases. In vivo studies support these findings and demonstrate a decrease in tumor burden, incidence, and hyperplastic and dysplastic changes. Clinical studies also showed decreased oral cancer risk. However, high-quality studies should be conducted to establish the clinical efficacy of these plants. Overall, our study supports the use of dietary plants, especially garlic, green tea, longan, peppermint, purple carrot, saffron, tomato, and turmeric, for oral cancer prevention and intervention. However, further research is required before clinical application of this strategy.

Molecular Targets of Plant-Derived Bioactive Compounds in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

With a significant increase in both incidence and mortality, oral cancer-particularly oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC)-is one of the main causes of death in developing countries. Even though there is evidence of advances in surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, the overall survival rate for patients with OSCC has improved, but by a small percentage. This may be due, on the one hand, to the fact that the disease is diagnosed when it is at a too-advanced stage, when metastases are already present.

METHODS

This review explores the therapeutic potential of natural herbal products and their use as adjuvant therapies in the treatment of oral cancer from online sources in databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Research Gate, Scopus, Elsevier).

RESULTS

Even if classic therapies are known to be effective, they often produce many serious side effects and can create resistance. Certain natural plant compounds may offer a complementary approach by inducing apoptosis, suppressing tumor growth, and improving chemotherapy effectiveness. The integration of these compounds with conventional treatments to obtain remarkable synergistic effects represents a major point of interest to many authors. This review highlights the study of molecular mechanisms and their efficiency in in vitro and in vivo models, as well as the strategic ways in which drugs can be administered to optimize their use in real contexts.

CONCLUSIONS

This review may have a significant impact on the oncology community, creating new inspirations for the development of more effective, safer cancer therapies with less toxic potential.

Capsaicin Promotes Apoptosis and Inhibits Cell Migration via the Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha (TNFα) and Nuclear Factor Kappa B (NFκB) Signaling Pathway in Oral Cancer Cells

Background Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a highly prevalent cancer worldwide. Microbial infections, poor oral hygiene, and chronic viral infections such as human papillomavirus (HPV) contribute to its incidence. Capsaicin, known for its presence in chili peppers, has demonstrated potential antiproliferative effects in cancer cells. It operates by inducing programmed cell death, regulating the expression of transcription factors, halting cell cycle progression, and influencing growth signal transduction pathways. These findings suggest capsaicin's promising role as a candidate for further exploration in combating oral cancer. Aim This study intends to identify and evaluate the anticancer properties of capsaicin on oral cancer cells through in vitro investigations. Methodology Using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) technique, the cell viability of oral cancer cells treated with capsaicin was evaluated. Capsaicin was applied to the KB1 cells in a range of concentrations (25-150 µg/mL) over 24 hours. The morphological alterations of the cells were assessed using a phase contrast microscope. Nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) were subjected to quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) gene expression analysis. To investigate nuclear morphological changes, oral cancer cells were stained with acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EtBr). The apoptotic nuclei were visualized using a fluorescent microscope. A scratch wound healing test was performed to check for capsaicin's anti-migratory potential. Result In our investigation of oral cancer cells treated with capsaicin, there was a significant drop in cell viability between the control and treatment groups (p < 0.05). The inhibitory concentration (IC50) was found to be 74.4 μM/mL in oral cancer cells. Following treatment, fewer cells were present, and those that were present shriveled and exhibited cytoplasmic membrane blebbing. Under AO/EtBr staining, treated cells exhibited chromatin condensation and nuclear disintegration. Furthermore, the migration of capsaicin-treated cells was significantly lower than that of control cells. The results of gene expression analysis demonstrated a considerable downregulation of TNFα and NFκB following capsaicin administration. Conclusion The study's findings suggest that capsaicin may have anti-tumor properties in oral cancer cells. More research is desperately needed to fully understand the mechanism underlying capsaicin's anticancer potential and therapeutic applicability.

Deciphering the complex landscape of post-translational modifications on PKM2: Implications in head and neck cancer pathogenesis

In the vast landscape of human health, head and neck cancer (HNC) poses a significant health burden globally, necessitating the exploration of novel diagnostics and therapeutics. Metabolic alterations occurring within tumor microenvironment are crucial to understand the foundational cause of HNC. Post-translational modifications (PTMs) have recently emerged as a silent foe exerting a significantly heightened influence on various aspects of the biological processes associated with the onset and advancement of cancer, particularly in the context of HNC. There are numerous targets involved in HNC but recently, the enzyme pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) has come out as a hot target due to its involvement in glycolysis resulting in metabolic reprogramming of cancer cells. Various PTMs have been reported to affect the structure and function of PKM2 by modulating its activity. This review aims to investigate the impact of PTMs on the interaction between PKM2 and several signaling pathways and transcription factors in the context of HNC. These interactions possess significant ramification for cellular proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis and metastasis. This review primarily explores the role of PTMs influencing PKM2 and its involvement in tumor development. While acknowledging the significance of PKM2 interactions with other tumor regulators, the emphasis lies on dissecting PTM-related mechanisms rather than solely scrutinizing individual regulators. It lays the framework for the development of more sophisticated diagnostic tools and uncovers exciting possibilities for precision medicine essential for effectively addressing the complexity of this malignancy in a precise and focused manner.

Therapeutic Potential of Silymarin in Mitigating Paclitaxel-Induced Hepatotoxicity and Nephrotoxicity: Insights into Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Apoptosis in Rats

Background

Paclitaxel (PAX) is a widely used chemotherapy drug for various cancer types but often induces significant toxicity in multiple organ systems. Silymarin (SIL), a natural flavonoid, has shown therapeutic potential due to its multiple benefits.

Aims

To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of SIL in mitigating liver and kidney damage induced by PAX in rats, focusing on oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis pathways.

Study Design

Experimental animal model.

Methods

The study included 28 male Wistar rats aged 12-14 weeks weighing 270-300 g. The rats were divided into four groups: control, SIL, PAX, and PAX + SIL, with seven in each group. The rats received intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections at a dose of 2 mg per kilogram of body weight of PAX for 5 successive days, followed by oral gavage with 200 mg/kg body mass of SIL for 10 uninterrupted days. We examined the effect of SIL on specific serum biochemical parameters using an autoanalyzer and rat-specific kits. The spectrophotometric methods was used to investigate oxidative stress indicators in kidney and liver tissues. Aquaporin-2 (AQP-2), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), cysteine aspartate-specific protease-3 (caspase-3), interleukin-6 (IL-6), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), and streptavidin-biotin staining were used to assess immunoreactivity in PAX-induced liver and kidney injury models.

Results

SIL treatment significantly reduced serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine, urea, and C-reactive protein, indicating its effectiveness in treating PAX-induced liver and kidney injury. SIL treatment significantly reduced oxidative stress by increasing essential antioxidant parameters, such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione. It also reduced malondialdehyde levels in liver and kidney tissues of SIL-PAX groups (p < 0.05). SIL administration reduced NF-κB, caspase-3, and IL-6 expression while increasing Bcl-2 and AQP2 levels in liver and kidney tissues of rats treated with SIL and PAX (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Our findings indicate the potential of SIL to alleviate PAX-induced liver and kidney damage in rats by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptotic processes.

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.

Valorization of onion peel waste: From trash to treasure

Globally, fruits and vegetables are consumed as raw, processed, or as an additive, accounting for approximately 50% of total food wastage. Among the fruits and vegetables, onion is well known for its potential bioactive components; however, peels of onion are a major concern for the environmental health and food industries. Effective utilization methods for valorizing the onion peel should be needed to develop value-added products, which are more eco-friendly, cost-effective, and sustainable. Therefore, this review attempts to emphasize the conventional and emerging valorization techniques for onion peel waste to generate value-added products. Several vital applications including anticancerous, antiobesity, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activities are thoroughly discussed. The findings showed that the use of advanced technologies like ultrasound-assisted extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, and enzymatic extraction, demonstrated improved extraction efficiency and higher yield of bioactive compounds, which showed the anticancerous, antiobesity, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, in-depth studies are recommended to elucidate the mechanisms of action and potential synergistic effects of the bioactive compounds derived from onion peel waste, and to promote the sustainable utilization of onion peel waste in the long-term.

Bioactive phytocompounds for oral cancer prevention and treatment: A comprehensive and critical evaluation

The high incidence of oral cancer combined with excessive treatment cost underscores the need for novel oral cancer preventive and therapeutic options. The value of natural agents, including plant secondary metabolites (phytochemicals), in preventing carcinogenesis and representing expansive source of anticancer drugs have been established. While fragmentary research data are available on antioral cancer effects of phytochemicals, a comprehensive and critical evaluation of the potential of these agents for the prevention and intervention of human oral malignancies has not been conducted according to our knowledge. This study presents a complete and critical analysis of current preclinical and clinical results on the prevention and treatment of oral cancer using phytochemicals. Our in-depth analysis highlights anticancer effects of various phytochemicals, such as phenolics, terpenoids, alkaloids, and sulfur-containing compounds, against numerous oral cancer cells and/or in vivo oral cancer models by antiproliferative, proapoptotic, cell cycle-regulatory, antiinvasive, antiangiogenic, and antimetastatic effects. Bioactive phytochemicals exert their antineoplastic effects by modulating various signaling pathways, specifically involving the epidermal growth factor receptor, cytokine receptors, toll-like receptors, and tumor necrosis factor receptor and consequently alter the expression of downstream genes and proteins. Interestingly, phytochemicals demonstrate encouraging effects in clinical trials, such as reduction of oral lesion size, cell growth, pain score, and development of new lesions. While most phytochemicals displayed minimal toxicity, concerns with bioavailability may limit their clinical application. Future directions for research include more in-depth mechanistic in vivo studies, administration of phytochemicals using novel formulations, investigation of phytocompounds as adjuvants to conventional treatment, and randomized clinical trials.

Exploring the potential of dietary factors and plant extracts as chemopreventive agents in oral squamous cell carcinoma treatment

Oral cancer, particularly oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), is a prevalent malignancy having a significant fatality rate worldwide. Despite advancements in conventional treatment modalities, the overall survival rate for OSCC remains low. Therefore, there is a critical need to explore alternative therapeutic approaches that can improve patient outcomes. This review focuses on the potential of dietary factors and plant extracts as chemopreventive agents in treating oral cancer. These compounds possess diverse biological functions encompassing a range of attributes, such as antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer capabilities. By targeting multiple cellular pathways involved in carcinogenesis, they possess the capacity to hinder tumor growth and development, promote programmed cell death, and impede the progression of oral cancer. Signaling pathways targeted by natural compounds that have been included in this review include Akt/mTOR/NF-κB signaling, Hippo-Tafazzin signaling pathway, notch signaling pathway, mitochondrial pathway, and Sonic Hedgehog pathway.

Cytotoxic effect of potential probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum KUMS-Y8 isolated from traditional dairy samples on the KB and OSCC human cancer cell lines

Oral cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, and its prevalence is especially high in developing countries. As an oral cancer treatment, traditional therapies are commonly used. Nonetheless, these treatments frequently result in a variety of side effects. As a consequence, there is an urgent need to enhance oral cancer therapies. Probiotics have recently demonstrated intriguing properties as therapeutic options for cancer treatment. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the anticancer effect of probiotic Lactobacillus strains on the mouth epidermal carcinoma cells (KB) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell lines. In this study, we looked at 21 Lactobacillus strains isolated from traditional dairy products in the Kermanshah province of western Iran to see if they had any inhibitory effects on oral cancer cell lines in vitro. We isolated and characterized Lactobacillus strains before assessing and comparing their probiotic potential and safety. Using the MTT assay, the bacterial extract was then prepared and used as an anti-proliferative agent on oral cancer (KB and OSCC) and normal (fibroblast and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEK) cell lines. Finally, acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining was used to determine whether cell death was caused by apoptosis. Four Lactobacillus isolates (C14, M22, M42, and Y8) were shown to have beneficial probiotic qualities. Lactobacillus extracts (of a protein nature) decreased the survival and proliferation of the KB and OSCC cancer cell lines (dose- and time-dependent) by inducing apoptosis, with no basic damaging effects on normal cells. The staining with acridine orange/ethidium bromide revealed that the cell death was caused by apoptosis. Furthermore, of the four Lactobacillus strains examined, isolate Y8 (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum) showed the strongest probiotic potential for suppressing KB and OSCC cell proliferation when compared to anticancer medicines (doxorubicin and paclitaxel). The current research found that Lactobacillus extract might reduce the growth and viability of the KB and OSCC cancer cell lines by inducing apoptosis, increasing the survival rate of oral cancer patients.

Direct Polyphenol Attachment on the Surfaces of Magnetite Nanoparticles, Using Vitis vinifera, Vaccinium corymbosum, or Punica granatum

This study presents an alternative approach to directly synthesizing magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) in the presence of Vitis vinifera, Vaccinium corymbosum, and Punica granatum derived from natural sources (grapes, blueberries, and pomegranates, respectively). A modified co-precipitation method that combines phytochemical techniques was developed to produce semispherical MNPs that range in size from 7.7 to 8.8 nm and are coated with a ~1.5 nm thick layer of polyphenols. The observed structure, composition, and surface properties of the MNPs@polyphenols demonstrated the dual functionality of the phenolic groups as both reducing agents and capping molecules that are bonding with Fe ions on the surfaces of the MNPs via -OH groups. Magnetic force microscopy images revealed the uniaxial orientation of single magnetic domains (SMDs) associated with the inverse spinel structure of the magnetite (Fe3O4). The samples' inductive heating (H0 = 28.9 kA/m, f = 764 kHz), measured via the specific loss power (SLP) of the samples, yielded values of up to 187.2 W/g and showed the influence of the average particle size. A cell viability assessment was conducted via the MTT and NRu tests to estimate the metabolic and lysosomal activities of the MNPs@polyphenols in K562 (chronic myelogenous leukemia, ATCC) cells.

Germination and its role in phenolic compound bioaccessibility for black mustard grains: A study using INFOGEST protocol

Germination has been regarded as a promising natural process to improve the antioxidant properties of mustard. However, there ís one question to be solved in this area: does germination improve mustard phenolics' bioaccessibility? The aim of this study was to answer this question by using INFOGEST protocol to simulate in vitro digestion. Resveratrol, formononetin and cryptochlorogenic acid were identified for the first time as evaluated by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. In general, digestion positively impacted the antioxidant potential of soluble phenolics from non-germinated and germinated grains, which were probably released from cell wall matrix by digestive enzymes. Although digestion seemed to nullify the antioxidant improvement caused by germination, phenolic quantities were distinctive. The main difference was found for sinapic acid, as its concentration reached a value 1.75-fold higher in germinated digested mustard compared to non-germinated. The results obtained suggested that germination improved the phenolic bioaccessibility of mustard grains, which encourages its use and investigations.

The Protective Role of Cranberries and Blueberries in Oral Cancer

BACKGROUND

Oral cancer has a high prevalence worldwide, and this disease is caused by genetic, immunological, and environmental factors. The main risk factors associated with oral cancer are smoking and alcohol.

RESULTS

There are various strategies to reduce risk factors, including prevention programs as well as the consumption of an adequate diet that includes phytochemical compounds derived from cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon A.) and blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.); these compounds exhibit antitumor properties.

RESULTS

The main outcome of this review is as follows: the properties of phytochemicals derived from cranberries were evaluated for protection against risk factors associated with oral cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

The secondary metabolites of cranberries promote biological effects that provide protection against smoking and alcoholism. An alternative for the prevention of oral cancer can be the consumption of these cranberries and blueberries.

Management of Oral Squamous Papilloma Using Annona squamosa (Custard Apple) Leaves: A Novel Case

This report presents the case of a 36-year-old male who was diagnosed with oral squamous papilloma in the palatal region. Excision was planned. The patient in the meantime chewed upon custard apple leaves and reported that the lesion prolapsed over the next few days. On examination, the site showed no signs of scarring or contracture and presented with healthy palatal tissue. The patient was prevented from requiring surgery, which would have shown a longer healing period with heavy reliance on an expensive resource base. This novel observation highlights the benefits of custard apple (Annona squamosa) leaves and warrants that its hepatoprotective, anticancer, antidiabetic, antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-obesity, and lipid-lowering properties are studied in an astute scientific setup with a well-drawn-out research plan.

Chemopreventive and Anticancer Role of Resveratrol against Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most prevailing and aggressive head and neck cancers, featuring high morbidity and mortality. The available conventional treatments suffer from several adverse effects and are often inefficient in terms of their survival rates. Thus, seeking novel therapeutic agents and adjuvants is of the utmost importance for modern society. Natural polyphenolic compounds have recently emerged as promising chemopreventive and anticancer agents. Specifically, the natural compound resveratrol (RSV) has recently gained momentum for this purpose. RSV is useful for treating OSCC due to its antiproliferative, antimetastatic, and proapoptotic effects. Additionally, RSV acts against tumor cells while synergically cooperating with chemotherapeutics, overcoming drug resistance phenomena. Despite these wide-spectrum effects, there are few specific investigations regarding RSV's effects against OSCC animal models that consider different routes and vehicles for the administration of RSV. Interestingly, an injectable RSV-loaded liposome-based formulation was proven to be effective against both in vitro and in vivo OSCC models, demonstrating that the development of RSV-loaded drug delivery systems for systemic and/or loco-regional applications may be the turning point in oral cancer treatment, leading to benefits from both RSV's properties as well as from targeted delivery. Given these premises, this review offers a comprehensive overview of the in vitro and in vivo effects of RSV and its main derivative, polydatin (PD), against OSCC-related cell lines and animal models, aiming to guide the scientific community in regard to RSV and PD use in the treatment of oral precancerous and cancerous lesions.

The Effect of High Nicotine Dose on Maximum Anaerobic Performance and Perceived Pain in Healthy Non-Smoking Athletes: Crossover Pilot Study

Background: In recent years, there has been intensive discussion about the positive effect of nicotine usage on enhancing sports performance. It is frequently applied through a non-burned tobacco form before physical activity. Nicotine is under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) 2021 monitoring program. Therefore, study results that reveal either positive or negative effects are expected. This is the pilot study that reports the effect of 8 mg dose of nicotine on performance and perceived pain. Material and Methods: This research aimed to explore the oral intake effect of a high-nicotine dose (8 mg) on the maximum anaerobic performance and other selected physical performance parameters in healthy, well-trained adult athletes (n = 15, age 30.7 ± 3.6, BMI 25.3 ± 1.7). The cross-sectional study protocol included the oral administration of either sublingual nicotine or placebo tablets before the anaerobic load assessed by a standardized 30 s Wingate test of the lower limbs. Afterward, the Borg subjective perception of pain (CR 10) and Borg rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were evaluated. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for the analysis of data with a 0.05 level of significance. Results: The results revealed that oral administration of an 8 mg nicotine dose does not significantly improve any of the physical performance parameters monitored. We only reported the statistically significant positive effect in RPE (p = 0.03). Conclusion: Lower perception of pain intensity that we reported after nicotine application might be an important factor that affects performance. However, we did not report any improvement in physical performance parameters.

Effect of Nasturtium Extract on Oral Cancer

Background

Considering the global prevalence of cancers and the complications of common cancer treatments, there is growing interest in using medicinal herbs to complement cancer treatments and reduce treatment's side effects. Therefore, we investigate the effect of the extract of Nasturtium on the viability of oral cancer cells.

Materials and Methods

In this experimental study, we prepared aqueous extract from Nasturtium leaves and human oral cancer cells (OCC-24) and normal fibroblast cells (HF2FF cell line) from a cell bank. Then the toxic effect of different concentrations of the extract on cell viability after 24-48 hours of exposure was investigated with the methylthiazol tetrazolium assay. Ultimately, the optical density was measured at 570 nm by an Elisa Reader. Analysis of inhibitory concentration 50 (IC50) was also performed. The data were analyzed by paired Student's t-test and one-way analysis of variance.

Results

Data showed that the extract had statistically significant anticancer effects in concentrations above 0.125 mg/ml for 24-hour exposure and in concentrations above 0.5 mg/ml for 48-hour exposure (p-value <0.05). Also, this extract had an adverse effect on the viability of normal cells; however, this effect occurred in high doses of the extract (p-value <0.05). Analysis of IC50 criteria indicates that with increasing time, a higher concentration of the extract is required to inhibit the viability of cancer cells.

Conclusion

Because of the results, this aqueous extract can be suggested as a potential therapeutic agent in oral cancer. The best concentration of the extract was found to be 1 mg/ml.

Hyphaene thebaica (Areceaeae) as a Promising Functional Food: Extraction, Analytical Techniques, Bioactivity, Food, and Industrial Applications

Hyphaene thebaica, also known as doum, is a wild plant growing in Egypt, Sudan, and other African countries. It is usually used to prepare nutritive diets, tasty beverages, and other food products. This review aimed to highlight the phytochemical composition of the doum plant using NMR, GC–MS, HPLC, and UPLC/Qtof/MS. The reported active constituents are also described, with flavonoids, phenolic acids, and saponins being the most dominant components. Extraction methods, both conventional and non-conventional, and their existing parameters were summarized. The in vitro and in vivo studies on the extracts and active constituents were also reported. We focused on different applications of doum in functional food products, animal feeding systems, and pharmaceutical applications. Doum is considered a promising dietary and therapeutic candidate to be applied on a wider scale. Proteomic analysis of doum and clinical assessment are still lacking and warrant further investigations in the future.

Design, Characterization, and Anticancer and Antimicrobial Activities of Mucoadhesive Oral Patches Loaded with Usnea barbata (L.) F. H. Wigg Ethanol Extract F-UBE-HPMC

The oral cavity's common pathologies are tooth decay, periodontal disease, and oral cancer; oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most frequent oral malignancy, with a high mortality rate. Our study aims to formulate, develop, characterize, and pharmacologically investigate the oral mucoadhesive patches (F-UBE-HPMC) loaded with Usnea barbata (L.) F.H. Wigg dry ethanol extract (UBE), using HPMC K100 as a film-forming polymer. Each patch contains 312 µg UBE, with a total phenolic content (TPC) of 178.849 µg and 33.924 µg usnic acid. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were performed for their morphological characterization, followed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Pharmacotechnical evaluation involved the measurement of the specific parameters for mucoadhesive oral patches as follows: weight uniformity, thickness, folding endurance, tensile strength, elongation, moisture content, pH, disintegration time, swelling rate, and ex vivo mucoadhesion time. Thus, each F-UBE-HPMC has 104 ± 4.31 mg, a pH = 7.05 ± 0.04, a disintegration time of 130 ± 4.14 s, a swelling ratio of 272 ± 6.31% after 6 h, and a mucoadhesion time of 102 ± 3.22 min. Then, F-UBE-HPMCs pharmacological effects were investigated using brine shrimp lethality assay (BSL assay) as a cytotoxicity prescreening test, followed by complex flow cytometry analyses on blood cell cultures and oral epithelial squamous cell carcinoma CLS-354 cell line. The results revealed significant anticancer effects by considerably increasing oxidative stress and blocking DNA synthesis in CLS-354 cancer cells. The antimicrobial potential against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27353, Candida albicans ATCC 10231, and Candida parapsilosis ATCC 22019 was assessed by a Resazurin-based 96-well plate microdilution method. The patches moderately inhibited both bacteria strains growing and displayed a significant antifungal effect, higher on C. albicans than on C. parapsilosis. All these properties lead to considering F-UBE-HPMC suitable for oral disease prevention and therapy.

Botanicals and Oral Stem Cell Mediated Regeneration: A Paradigm Shift from Artificial to Biological Replacement

Stem cells are a well-known autologous pluripotent cell source, having excellent potential to develop into specialized cells, such as brain, skin, and bone marrow cells. The oral cavity is reported to be a rich source of multiple types of oral stem cells, including the dental pulp, mucosal soft tissues, periodontal ligament, and apical papilla. Oral stem cells were useful for both the regeneration of soft tissue components in the dental pulp and mineralized structure regeneration, such as bone or dentin, and can be a viable substitute for traditionally used bone marrow stem cells. In recent years, several studies have reported that plant extracts or compounds promoted the proliferation, differentiation, and survival of different oral stem cells. This review is carried out by following the PRISMA guidelines and focusing mainly on the effects of bioactive compounds on oral stem cell-mediated dental, bone, and neural regeneration. It is observed that in recent years studies were mainly focused on the utilization of oral stem cell-mediated regeneration of bone or dental mesenchymal cells, however, the utility of bioactive compounds on oral stem cell-mediated regeneration requires additional assessment beyond in vitro and in vivo studies, and requires more randomized clinical trials and case studies.

Medicinal pteridophytes: ethnopharmacological, phytochemical, and clinical attributes

Background

Almost from the very beginning of human existence, man has been interacting with plants. Throughout human history, plants have provided humans with basic needs such as sustenance, firewood, livestock feed, and wood. The world has approximately 3 million vascular plants. The treatment of primary health problems is provided primarily by traditional medicines by around 80% of the world's population. Compared to other vascular plants, pteridophytes remain underexplored in ethnobotanical aspects, despite being regarded as a valuable component of healthcare for centuries. As an alternative medicine, pteridophytes are being investigated for their pharmacological activity. Almost 2000 years ago, humans were exploring and using plant species from this lineage because of its beneficial properties since pteridophytes were the first vascular plants.

Main body of the abstract

All popular search engines such as PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and Scopus were searched to retrieve the relevant literature using various search strings relevant to the topic. Pteridophytes belonging to thirty different families have been documented as medicinal plants. For instance, Selaginella sp. has been demonstrated to have numerous therapeutic properties, including antioxidative, inflammation-reducing, anti-carcinogenic, diabetes-fighting, virucidal, antibacterial, and anti-senile dementia effects. In addition, clinical trials and studies performed on pteridophytes and derived compounds are also discussed in details.

Short conclusion

This review offers a compilation of therapeutically valuable pteridophytes utilized by local ethnic groups, as well as the public.

Graphical Abstract

The anti-inflammatory properties of the methanolic extract of Cucumis melo Linn. against prostate enlargement in Wistar rats

In different parts of the world, Cucumis melo Linn. (C melo) is used for its medicinal properties. The present study examined the effects of a methanolic extract of C melo Linn. (F1 hybrid, MECM) on benign prostatic hyperplasia in adult male Wistar rats and evaluated its anti-inflammatory activity in vivo. MECM treatment reduced prostate weight mildly. Histopathological studies showed that the extract produced a strong protective effect against the development of BPH by testosterone. The MECM also showed protection from testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). MECM was tested against carrageenan-induced inflammation in rats' paws to determine its anti-inflammatory activity. It was shown that MECM had a pronounced effect on the inflammatory response in the late phase, i.e., one hour after carrageenan injection. Prostaglandins and nitric oxide are primarily responsible for this phase indicating that MECM can modify the production and release of prostaglandin and nitric oxide. A novel formulation containing C melo may be able to treat the conditions mentioned above.

Formulation and Development of Bioadhesive Oral Films Containing Usnea barbata (L.) F.H.Wigg Dry Ethanol Extract (F-UBE-HPC) with Antimicrobial and Anticancer Properties for Potential Use in Oral Cancer Complementary Therapy

Medical research explores plant extracts’ properties to obtain potential anticancer drugs. The present study aims to formulate, develop, and characterize the bioadhesive oral films containing Usnea barbata (L.) dry ethanol extract (F-UBE-HPC) and to investigate their anticancer potential for possible use in oral cancer therapy. The physicochemical and morphological properties of the bioadhesive oral films were analyzed through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), and X-ray diffraction techniques. Pharmacotechnical evaluation (consisting of the measurement of the specific parameters: weight uniformity, thickness, folding endurance, tensile strength, elongation, moisture content, pH, disintegration time, swelling rate, and ex vivo mucoadhesion time) completed the bioadhesive films’ analysis. Next, oxidative stress, caspase 3/7 activity, nuclear condensation, lysosomal activity, and DNA synthesis induced by F-UBE-HPC in normal blood cell cultures and oral epithelial squamous cell carcinoma (CLS-354) cell line and its influence on both cell types’ division and proliferation was evaluated. The results reveal that each F-UBE-HPC contains 0.330 mg dry extract with a usnic acid (UA) content of 0.036 mg. The bioadhesive oral films are thin (0.093 ± 0.002 mm), reveal a neutral pH (7.10 ± 0.02), a disintegration time of 118 ± 3.16 s, an ex vivo bioadhesion time of 98 ± 3.58 min, and show a swelling ratio after 6 h of 289 ± 5.82%, being suitable for application on the oral mucosa. They displayed in vitro anticancer activity on CLS-354 tumor cells. By considerably increasing cellular oxidative stress and caspase 3/7 activity, they triggered apoptotic processes in oral cancer cells, inducing high levels of nuclear condensation and lysosomal activity, cell cycle arrest in G0/G1, and blocking DNA synthesis. All these properties lead to considering the UBE-loaded bioadhesive oral films suitable for potential application as a complementary therapy in oral cancer.

Apitherapy and Periodontal Disease: Insights into In Vitro, In Vivo, and Clinical Studies

Periodontal diseases are caused mainly by inflammation of the gums and bones surrounding the teeth or by dysbiosis of the oral microbiome, and the Global Burden of Disease study (2019) reported that periodontal disease affects 20-50% of the global population. In recent years, more preference has been given to natural therapies compared to synthetic drugs in the treatment of periodontal disease, and several oral care products, such as toothpaste, mouthwash, and dentifrices, have been developed comprising honeybee products, such as propolis, honey, royal jelly, and purified bee venom. In this study, we systematically reviewed the literature on the treatment of periodontitis using honeybee products. A literature search was performed using various databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Scopus, clinicaltrials.gov, and Google Scholar. A total of 31 studies were reviewed using eligibility criteria published between January 2016 and December 2021. In vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies (randomized clinical trials) were included. Based on the results of these studies, honeybee products, such as propolis and purified bee venom, were concluded to be effective and safe for use in the treatment of periodontitis mainly due to their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities. However, to obtain reliable results from randomized clinical trials assessing the effectiveness of honeybee products in periodontal treatment with long-term follow-up, a broader sample size and assessment of various clinical parameters are needed.

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) Bioactives and Its Role in Alleviating Oral Pathologies

Garlic (Allium sativa L.) is a bulbous flowering plant belongs to the family of Amaryllidaceae and is a predominant horticultural crop originating from central Asia. Garlic and its products are chiefly used for culinary and therapeutic purposes in many countries. Bulbs of raw garlic have been investigated for their role in oral health, which are ascribed to a myriad of biologically active compounds such as alliin, allicin, methiin, S-allylcysteine (SAC), diallyl sulfide (DAS), S-ally-mercapto cysteine (SAMC), diallyl disulphide (DADS), diallyl trisulfide (DATS) and methyl allyl disulphide. A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA statement. Scopus, PubMed, Clinicaltrials.gov, and Science direct databases were searched between 12 April 2021 to 4 September 2021. A total of 148 studies were included and the qualitative synthesis phytochemical profile of GE, biological activities, therapeutic applications of garlic extract (GE) in oral health care system, and its mechanism of action in curing various oral pathologies have been discussed. Furthermore, the safety of incorporation of GE as food supplements is also critically discussed. To conclude, GE could conceivably make a treatment recourse for patients suffering from diverse oral diseases.

Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Complex Extracts of Ligularia stenocephala Matsum. & Koidz. and Secale cereale L. Sprout in Chronic Gingivitis: In Vitro Investigation and Randomized Clinical Trial

Complex extracts of Ligularia stenocephala Matsum. & Koidz. (LSE) and Secale cereale L. sprout (SCSE) (TEES-10^®) were prepared. The purposes of the study were to evaluate anti-inflammatory activities of TEES-10^® in vitro and to observe resolution of gingivitis in human with oral administration of TEES-10^®. The effects of TEES-10^® on normal periodontal ligament (PDL) cell viability, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced PDL cell viability and the changes of inflammatory mediator expression were evaluated in vitro. In the clinical trial, 150 mg of TEES-10^® powder containing capsule was administered twice daily to the test group, while the control group administered placebos in a total 100 participants with gingivitis. Probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), clinical attachment loss, gingival index (GI) and plaque index (PI) were measured at baseline and 4 weeks. Administering TEES-10^® showed significant increase in PDL cell viability compared to administering LSE or SCSE alone. In addition, treating TEES-10^® to LPS induced PDL cell significantly increased PDL cell viability compared to control. TEES-10^® suppressed expression of NF-κB, p-ERK, ERK, COX-2, c-Fos and p-STAT and promoted expression of PPARγ in LPS induced PDL cells. In the clinical trial, significant improvement of GI and BOP was observed in the test group at 4 weeks. In addition, the number of patients diagnosed with gingivitis was significantly reduced in the test group at 4 weeks. Salivary MMP-8 and MMP-9 was also significantly decreased compared to placebo group. Within the limitations of this study, the TEES-10^® would have an anti-inflammatory potential clinically in the chronic gingivitis patients.