Ethanolic Extract of Ocimum sanctum Leaves Reduced Invasion and Matrix Metalloproteinase Activity of Head and Neck Cancer Cell Lines

Abstract

Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has a yearly incidence of 600,000 cases worldwide with a low survival rate. Ocimum sanctum L. or Ocimum tenuiflorum L. (Holy basil; Tulsi in Hindi), is a traditional medicine herb that demonstrates numerous effects including anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, and anti-tumor effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-invasive effect of O. sanctum leaf extract on HNSCC cell lines. Methods: Ethanolic extract of O. sanctum leaf (EEOS) was prepared and the phenolic compounds were identified using high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry. Genetically matched HNSCC cell lines derived from primary (HN30 and HN4) and metastatic sites (HN31 and HN12) from the same patient were used in this study. The EEOS cytotoxicity to the cell lines was determined using an MTT assay. The invasion and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and-9 activity of EEOS-treated cells were tested using a modified Boyden chamber assay and zymography, respectively. Results: We found that EEOS significantly inhibited the invasion and MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity of HN4 and HN12 cells, but not HN30 and HN31 cells. Rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, and apigenin were detected in EEOS. Moreover, rosmarinic acid was found as the major phenolic compound. Conclusion: EEOS exerted its anti-invasive effect on HNSCC cells by attenuating MMP activity. The active compounds identified in EEOS might be promising as an alternative therapeutic agent for HNSCC.

An In Vitro Anti-Cancer Activity of Ocimum tenuiflorum Essential Oil by Inducing Apoptosis in Human Gastric Cancer Cell Line

“…Several previous studies have shown cytotoxic and anti-metastasis activity of O. tenuiflorum extracts on a variety of cancer cell lines. The ethanolic extract of O. sanctum (EEOS) demonstrated growth inhibitory activity against several cancer cell types including human non-small cell lung carcinoma (A549) [ 10 , 25 ], prostate cancer cells [ 9 ], and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) [ 26 ]. Similarly, Manaharan et al found that the purified essential oil from O. sanctum (OSEO) inhibited cell proliferation of human breast cancer cells (MCF-7); their IC 50 value of 170 µg/mL was similar to our result [ 12 ].…”

“…In addition, Kwak et al demonstrated through molecular analysis that the anti-metastatic mechanism of EEOS is mediated by the inhibition of phosphatidylinositide 3-kinases (PI3K)/Akt in non-small cell lung cancer cells [ 27 ]. Meanwhile, treatment of HNSCC with EEOS resulted in a significant inhibition of cell invasion due to attenuating the activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 [ 26 ]. Our in vitro results clearly extend the significant inhibitory effect of OTEO treatment on cancer cell viability and metastasis to human gastric cancer cells.…”

Apis mellifera propolis enhances apoptosis and invasion inhibition in head and neck cancer cells

“…The cytotoxicity of EAEP on the HNSCC cell lines was investigated using the methyl thiazotetrazolium (MTT) as previously described ( Utispan et al, 2020 ). Basically, the incubation periods for the MTT assay were 24, 48, or 72 h. However, tumor cells are very heterogenous and their doubling times vary.…”

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

“…O. sanctum ethanolic extract at a concentration of 0.4 mg/mL inhibited matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 activity in HN12 and HN4 cells by 71% and 65%, respectively, and MMP-9 activity in HN12 and HN4 cells by 85% and 44%, respectively. The invasion activity of HN12 and HN4 cells was inhibited by 30% in comparison with that of the control ( p < 0.05), but no significant changes were observed in HN31 and HN30 cells [ 37 ]. In a recent study, the anticancer activity of O. sanctum was examined in the OSCC cell line Ca9–22.…”