An in vitro study of Ocimum sanctum as a chemotherapeutic agent on oral cancer cell-line

Preparation of Ocimum Sanctum-Based Hydrogel and Evaluation of Its Cytotoxicity: An In Vitro Study

INTRODUCTION

While traditional periodontal treatments like scaling and root planing, antibiotics, and surgical intervention remain the primary approaches, herbal medicine is continuously evolving as an alternative for the management of periodontal diseases. This study focused on the evaluation of the cytotoxicity of Ocimum sanctum (OS)-based hydrogel for its use in local drug delivery in periodontitis.

METHODS

OS-based hydrogel was prepared using 50 g of OS powder and 200 ml of ethanol, along with carboxymethyl cellulose gel and sorbitol. The prepared formulation was evaluated for its cytotoxicity by using the MTT assay, cell viability, cell morphology, and brine shrimp egg assessment.

RESULTS

Cell viability was assessed, and it was above 95% for the control and 85% for the OS hydrogel by the 3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Brine shrimp egg assessment also showed a survival rate of 80% at low concentrations. The cell morphology test showed round and uniform cells growing in a monolayer shape.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study confirmed that OS-based hydrogel is cytocompatible and, hence, can be used as a local drug delivery agent for periodontitis management, especially in resource-constrained settings where affordable and natural treatment options are highly valued.

Therapeutic strategy for oncovirus-mediated oral cancer: A comprehensive review

Oral cancer is a neoplastic disorder of the oral cavities, including the lips, tongue, buccal mucosa, and lower and upper gums. Oral cancer assessment entails a multistep process that requires deep knowledge of the molecular networks involved in its progression and development. Preventive measures including public awareness of risk factors and improving public behaviors are necessary, and screening techniques should be encouraged to enable early detection of malignant lesions. Herpes simplex virus (HSV), human papillomavirus (HPV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) are associated with other premalignant and carcinogenic conditions leading to oral cancer. Oncogenic viruses induce chromosomal rearrangements; activate signal transduction pathways via growth factor receptors, cytoplasmic protein kinases, and DNA binding transcription factors; modulate cell cycle proteins, and inhibit apoptotic pathways. In this review, we present an up-to-date overview on the use of nanomaterials for regulating viral proteins and oral cancer as well as the role of phytocompounds on oral cancer. The targets linking oncoviral proteins and oral carcinogenesis were also discussed.

Ethanolic extract of Ocimum sanctum leaf modulates oxidative stress, cell cycle and apoptosis in head and neck cancer cell lines

Ocimum sanctum Linn. is a medicinal herb that has cytotoxic effects by inducing oxidative stress in some carcinomas. This study aimed to examine the impact of O. sanctum leaf extract on oxidative stress, cell cycle progression, and apoptosis in cell lines of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Isogenic primary (HN18/HN30) and metastatic (HN17/HN31) HNSCC cell lines were used. Preparation of the ethanolic extract of O. sanctum leaf (EEOS) was carried out. HNSCC cell lines were exposed to varying concentrations (0.1-0.8 mg/ml) of EEOS for a duration of 72 h, and the MTT assay was utilized to determine the cytotoxic doses. To assess the impact of EEOS on HNSCC cells, the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde were measured using a fluorometric method. Flow cytometry was utilized to evaluate effects of EEOS on the cell cycle, DNA damage, and apoptosis in HNSCC cells. Caspase-3 and -9 levels in the EEOS-treated HNSCC cells were measured by ELISA. The chemical components in EEOS were detected using high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry. EEOS exhibited cytotoxicity against the HN18, HN17, HN30 and HN31 cells at minimum concentrations of 0.1, 0.3, 0.2 and 0.2 mg/ml, respectively. Treatment with EEOS resulted in a significant increase in ROS levels in HN18 and HN17 cells. Additionally, EEOS significantly induced the levels of malondialdehyde in HN18 and HN31 cells. Moreover, EEOS arrested the cell cycle in HN30 and HN31 cells, and significantly induced DNA damage and apoptosis in the HN18, HN30, and HN31 cells. EEOS selectively increased caspase-9 in the HN18 cells. However, caspase-3 was activated without apoptosis in the EEOS-treated HN17 cells. The constituents of EEOS were identified as rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, and apigenin. In conclusion, EEOS exhibits various prooxidative and apoptotic effects between HNSCC cells.

Exploring the Chemistry of Ocimum Species under Specific Extractions and Chromatographic Methods: A Systematic Review

Ocimum is considered the largest genus in the Lamiacea family. The genus includes basil, a group of aromatic plants with a wide range of culinary uses that nowadays draws attention for its medicinal and pharmaceutical potential. This systematic review intends to explore the chemical composition of nonessential oils and their variation across different Ocimum species. Moreover, we aimed to identify the state of knowledge regarding the molecular space in this genus as well as the different methods of extraction/identification and geographical location. Seventy-nine eligible articles were selected for the final analysis, from which we extracted more than 300 molecules. We found that the countries with the highest number of studies into Ocimum species are India, Nigeria, Brazil, and Egypt. However, from all known species of Ocimum, only 12 were found to have an extensive chemical characterization, particularly Ocimum basilicum and Ocimum tenuiflorum. Our study focused especially on alcoholic, hydroalcoholic, and water extracts, in which the main techniques for compound identifications are GC-MS, LC-MS, and LC-UV. Across the compiled molecules, we found a wide variety of compounds, especially flavonoids, phenolic acids, and terpenoids, suggesting that this genus could be a very useful source of possible bioactive compounds. The information collected in this review also emphasizes the huge gap between the vast number of Ocimum species discovered and the number of studies in each of them that determined the chemical characterization.

The Cultural and Commercial Value of Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum L.): Multidisciplinary Approaches Focusing on Species Authentication

Tulsi (Holy basil, Ocimum tenuiflorum L., Lamiaceae), native to Asia, has become globalised as the cultural, cosmetic, and medicinal uses of the herb have been popularised. DNA barcoding, a molecular technique used to identify species based on short regions of DNA, can discriminate between different species and identify contaminants and adulterants. This study aimed to explore the values associated with Tulsi in the United Kingdom (UK) and authenticate samples using DNA barcoding. A mixed methods approach was used, incorporating social research (i.e., structured interviews) and DNA barcoding of Ocimum samples using the ITS and trnH-psbA barcode regions. Interviews revealed the cultural significance of Tulsi: including origins, knowledge exchange, religious connotations, and medicinal uses. With migration, sharing of plants and seeds has been seen as Tulsi plants are widely grown in South Asian (SA) households across the UK. Vouchered Ocimum specimens (n = 33) were obtained to create reference DNA barcodes which were not available in databases. A potential species substitution of O. gratissimum instead of O. tenuiflorum amongst SA participants was uncovered. Commercial samples (n = 47) were difficult to authenticate, potentially due to DNA degradation during manufacturing processes. This study highlights the cultural significance of Tulsi, despite a potential species substitution, the plant holds a prestigious place amongst SA families in the UK. DNA barcoding was a reliable way to authenticate Ocimum species.

The biological activity of Ocimum minimum L. flowers on redox status parameters in HCT-116 colorectal carcinoma cells

Medicinal plants have widely been used as a natural source of remedies for treating several diseases, including colorectal cancer. Ocimum minimum L. is a very important dietary plant used in traditional and modern medicine, due to its health beneficial effect realized by cytotoxic, proapoptotic, antioxidant/prooxidant, antiviral and antimicrobial activity. The biological activity of O. minimum flowers has been evaluated in HCT116 colorectal carcinoma cells through antiproliferative activity by MTT assay, pro-apoptotic activity by AO/EB and concentrations of redox status parameters (O2∙ and lipid peroxidation) by colorimetric methods. The protein expression of iNOS was analyzed by immunocytochemistry, while the antimigratory effect was measured by xCELLigence system. The treatment with O. minimum shows the antiproliferative, proapoptotic, impact on redox status parameters and antimigratory effect on HCT-116 cells. Based on obtained results, the pharmacological effect of O. minimum is evident against HCT-116 colorectal carcinoma cells, suggesting that this plant may be good start material for future anticancer therapy investigation.

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

Oral cancer continues to be a leading cause of death worldwide, and its prevalence is particularly high in developing countries, where people chew tobacco and betel nut on a regular basis. Radiation-, chemo-, targeted-, immuno-, and hormone-based therapies along with surgery are commonly used as part of a treatment plan. However, these treatments frequently result in various unwanted short- to long-term side effects. As a result, there is an urgent need to develop treatment options for oral cancer that have little or no adverse effects. Numerous bioactive compounds derived from various plants have recently attracted attention as therapeutic options for cancer treatment. Antioxidants found in medicinal plants, such as vitamins E, C, and A, reduce damage to the mucosa by neutralizing free radicals found in various oral mucosal lesions. Phytochemicals found in medicinal plants have the potential to modulate cellular signalling pathways that alter the cellular defence mechanisms to protect normal cells from reactive oxygen species (ROS) and induce apoptosis in cancer cells. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of various medicinal plants and phytoconstituents that have shown the potential to be used as oral cancer therapeutics.