Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jan 16, 2025 4 hours, 11 minutes ago
Oral Cancer News: Oral cancer, particularly oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), represents a significant health burden worldwide. Despite advances in medical treatments, the survival rate for this type of cancer remains distressingly low, often around 50%. Researchers Madhav Kumar and Abhimanyu Kumar Jha from the Department of Biotechnology, Sharda University, Greater Noida, India, recently explored the potential of dietary factors and plant extracts as chemopreventive agents in oral cancer treatment. Their findings emphasize the therapeutic promise of natural compounds in enhancing treatment efficacy and improving patient outcomes.
Potential Role of Herbs and Phytochemicals in Treating Oral Cancer
The Promise of Natural Compounds
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death globally, and its burden is expected to triple by 2030. Current treatment options, including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, often come with severe side effects, and resistance to treatment remains a critical issue. In this context, researchers are turning to natural compounds derived from plants and diets for their multifaceted biological activities, including antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. This
Oral Cancer News report highlights the growing interest in these compounds as alternative therapeutic agents.
The use of dietary factors and plant extracts in cancer treatment is based on their ability to modulate key cellular pathways involved in carcinogenesis. These compounds can suppress tumor growth, promote apoptosis (programmed cell death), and prevent the progression of cancer. Natural compounds such as ursolic acid, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), resveratrol, and curcumin have demonstrated significant promise in targeting various signaling pathways, including Akt/mTOR/NF-κB, Hippo-TAZ, and Notch pathways.
Key Findings from the Study
-Targeting Cellular Pathways with Natural Compounds
Ursolic acid, found in plants like peppermint and apples, is a triterpenoid compound known for its anticancer properties. It inhibits cell growth by modulating signaling pathways such as PI3K/Akt/mTOR and NF-κB. In oral cancer cells, ursolic acid triggers apoptosis through caspase-dependent mechanisms, leading to significant reductions in tumor viability.
EGCG, the primary catechin in green tea, is another potent anticancer agent. It influences multiple pathways, including Hippo-TAZ and Notch signaling, to inhibit cancer cell proliferation and induce apoptosis. Research on OSCC cell lines has shown that EGCG reduces tumor growth and promotes cell death by modulating the expression of apoptotic and anti-apoptotic proteins.
Resveratrol, derived from red grapes and berries, exhibits a wide range of anticancer activities. It disrupts key regulators of cell survival, including NF-κB and PI3K/Akt, while promoting apoptosis through mitochondrial pathways. In studies involving oral cancer cells, resveratrol has been shown to suppress tumor growth and enhance cell death by targeting pro-survival protei
ns.
-The Role of Syzygium Cumini and Punica Granatum
Syzygium cumini (commonly known as jambul) and Punica granatum (pomegranate) extracts have also been investigated for their anticancer effects. Syzygium cumini extract induces apoptosis in oral cancer cells by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), which damage the cancer cells. Punica granatum extract disrupts mitochondrial function and inhibits cancer cell proliferation, making it a promising candidate for further research.
-The Multifaceted Benefits of Curcumin and Quercetin
Curcumin, a polyphenol extracted from turmeric, has demonstrated anticancer properties by modulating pathways such as NF-κB and MAPK. It also inhibits invasion and metastasis by regulating the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Quercetin, found in onions and apples, complements this activity by inducing apoptosis and inhibiting the NF-κB pathway, which is crucial for cancer cell survival and proliferation.
-Emerging Role of Isothiocyanates and Lycopene
Isothiocyanates (ITCs), present in cruciferous vegetables, and lycopene, found in tomatoes and watermelons, have shown significant anticancer effects. ITCs inhibit tumor growth by targeting multiple pathways, including those related to oxidative stress and apoptosis. Lycopene enhances apoptosis in OSCC by modulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and reducing epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT).
Conclusion: A Hopeful Future
The research findings underscore the potential of dietary factors and plant extracts as chemopreventive agents in oral cancer treatment. By targeting key cellular pathways, these compounds offer a multifaceted approach to combating cancer, reducing tumor growth, and promoting apoptosis. The advantages of natural compounds include their bioavailability, low toxicity, and ability to act on multiple targets simultaneously, making them a promising addition to conventional therapies.
The study findings highlight the need for further research to optimize the use of these compounds in clinical settings. With continued exploration, the integration of dietary factors into cancer treatment protocols could transform the field and offer new hope to patients worldwide.
The findings of this study were published in the peer-reviewed journal: Frontiers in Oral Health.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oral-health/articles/10.3389/froh.2023.1246873/full
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