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Updated: Apr 6, 2026

Continuous Fluorescence-Based Endonuclease-Coupled DNA Methylation Assay to Screen for DNA Methyltransferase Inhibitors
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Continuous Fluorescence-Based Endonuclease-Coupled DNA Methylation Assay to Screen for DNA Methyltransferase Inhibitors

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Natural Compounds: DNA Methyltransferase Inhibitors in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Meenakshi Jha1, Ruchi Aggarwal2, Abhimanyu Kumar Jha3

  • 1Department of Zoology, Delhi University, New Delhi, Delhi, 110007, India.

Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology
|July 27, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Natural compounds may reverse epigenetic changes in oral cancer. This review explores how these compounds can reactivate tumor suppressor genes silenced by hypermethylation in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Epigenetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) develops through multiple genetic and epigenetic alterations.
  • Aberrant promoter hypermethylation of tumor suppressor genes is a key epigenetic event in OSCC development.
  • These epigenetic modifications are potentially reversible, offering therapeutic avenues.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of promoter hypermethylation of tumor suppressor genes in OSCC.
  • To explore the potential of natural compounds in reversing these epigenetic changes.
  • To identify novel compounds for demethylation screening in OSCC.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on OSCC epigenetics and natural compounds.
  • Analysis of documented tumor suppressor genes affected by hypermethylation in OSCC.
  • Evaluation of natural compounds with reported demethylating properties.

Main Results:

  • Numerous genes undergo promoter hypermethylation in OSCC, contributing to tumorigenesis.
  • Certain natural compounds demonstrate the ability to induce demethylation.
  • Reactivation of silenced tumor suppressor genes by natural compounds is a promising strategy.

Conclusions:

  • Epigenetic dysregulation, particularly hypermethylation, is crucial in OSCC.
  • Natural compounds offer a reversible therapeutic approach to counteract hypermethylation.
  • Further screening of novel compounds is warranted for OSCC epigenetic therapy.
Keywords:
EpigeneticsHypermethylationNatural compoundsOral squamous cell carcinomaTumor suppressor genes

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