Areca nut extract demonstrated apoptosis-inducing mechanism by increased caspase-3 activities on oral squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma is a neoplasm of keratinocyte cells of oral mucosa epithelium that can potentially spread through lymphatic tissue or blood vessel. Although areca nut is one of the plants with a risk of inducing that cancer, areca nut is believed to have high antioxidant properties. Due to the current interest in the apoptosis effects from areca nut for oral cancer treatment, we investigated its ability to induce apoptosis and caspase-3 activity in oral cancer cell lines: HSC-2 and HSC-3. Methods: We examined the effect of areca nut on apoptosis and caspase-3 activity in HSC-2 and HSC-3 cells. Flow cytometry was conducted for the quantification of the cells that were apoptotic and expressing the caspase-3 enzyme for 24 and 48 hours. Results: Areca nut induced a significant increase (p<0.01) in late apoptosis of HSC-2 cells and mostly occurred over 48 hours. The study also found that in HSC-3, there were significant increases (p<0.01) the percentage of cells in early apoptosis after 24 hours and late apoptosis at 48 hours. Caspase-3 activity increased after 24 and 48 hours of areca nut exposure in both cells. Conclusions: The study showed that areca nut could be considered as a potential anticancer agent through its capability in inducing a caspase-dependent apoptosis.

Evaluation of clinical, histology, TNF-α, and collagen expressions on oral ulcer in rats after treatment with areca nut and chrysanthemum oral gel

“…Areca nut, as one of the main ingredients, contains phenolic and flavonoids which function as antioxidants. 19 Catechin is a component of flavonoids present in areca nut that acts as an antioxidant by chelating the ions and scavenging the free radicals particularly, superoxide (O 2-), peroxyl, hydroxyl radicals (ÁOH), and hence inhibit both DNA damage and lipid peroxidation, which can cause membrane damage. 20 Catechin can reduce the expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-8 which function to overcome inflammation and increase the wound healing process by chemotactic for fibroblasts, accelerates their migration and stimulates deposition of tenascin, fibronectin, and collagen I during wound healing in vivo.…”

“…Although its precise role in wound healing is not fully understood, however, (1). [14][15][16][17][18][19] reported that TNF-α is involved in the early process of wound healing. It is quickly released and initiates inflammation at wound tissues.…”

Areca nut extract increased stromal tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in 4-nutriquinoline-1-oxide-tumor-induced Sprague-Dawley rats

“…9 Potency antioxidant activity of areca nut has been well established in the previous in vitro research using several oral cancer cell lines. 10 Although some areca nut products such as paan masala (fennel seeds, coriander, sesame, mint leaves, powdered lime, areca nut, cardamom, and pure menthol) and gutkha (chewing tobacco, dried ripe areca nut, paraffin wax, slaked lime (calcium hydroxide), and savory or sweet flavorings) have contribution in pathogenesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), several other studies have been carried out to prove the efficacy and safety of areca nuts depending on the type of phytochemical content possessed by the areca nut species from the certain region.…”

The chemotherapeutic activity of areca nut extract increased stromal tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in 4-nutriquinoline-1-oxide-tumor-induced Sprague-Dawley rats

“…4 Potency antioxidant activity of areca nut has been well established in the previous in vitro research using several oral cancer cell lines. 5 Although some areca nut products such as paan masala (fennel seeds, coriander, sesame, mint leaves, powdered lime, areca nut, cardamom, and pure menthol) and gutkha (chewing tobacco, dried ripe areca nut, paraffin wax, slaked lime (calcium hydroxide), and savory or sweet flavorings) have contribution in pathogenesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), several other studies have been carried out to prove the efficacy and safety of areca nuts depending on the type of phytochemical content possessed by the areca nut species from the certain region.…”