The Effects of the Supercritical Extracts of Momordica charantia Linn., Pistacia lentiscus, and Commiphora myrrha on Oral Inflammation and Oral Cancer

Abstract

In this study, mixed extract samples (MPC-1–4) of natural plants, Momordica charantia Linn., Pistacia lentiscus, and Commiphora myrrha, were prepared according to their respective extraction methods, and the efficacy of these samples for treating oral inflammation and oral cancer was investigated. As a result of the cell proliferation inhibition experiment, all samples (MPC-1 to 4) decreased the proliferation of oral cancer cell MC3 and HN22 cells in a concentration-dependent manner (p < 0.01). The survival rates of MPC-4 and MPC-1 were about 50% and about 80%, respectively, showing a difference according to the extraction method. In flow cytometry results, early apoptosis and late apoptosis of MPC-4 were 26.9% and 18.1%, respectively, indicating that apoptosis induction was the most effective. Although the induction effect was shown in other samples, the result was lower than that of MPC-4. As a result of confirming the regulation of the signaling pathway, it was confirmed that the expression of cleaved caspase 3 and Bak regulatory genes increased in a concentration-dependent manner in MC3 and HN22 cells (p < 0.01), thus inducing apoptosis in oral cancer cells. In addition, as a result of safety and Xenograft model experiments, it was found that MPC-4 had no toxicity to oral administration. These results suggest that the supercritical extract of Momordica charantia Linn., Pistacia lentiscus, and Commiphora myrrha can be applied as a preventive and therapeutic agent for oral mucosa inflammation and oral cancer.