Effect of Nasturtium Extract on Oral Cancer

Area of Science:

• Phytochemistry
• Oncology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Medicinal herbs are increasingly explored for cancer treatment due to global cancer prevalence and treatment side effects.
• Nasturtium (Nasturtium officinale) is a plant with traditional medicinal uses.
• Oral cancer remains a significant global health concern.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the cytotoxic effects of Nasturtium leaf extract on human oral cancer cells.
• To evaluate the safety profile of Nasturtium extract on normal fibroblast cells.
• To determine the optimal concentration and exposure time for Nasturtium extract's anticancer activity.

Main Methods:

• Aqueous extract of Nasturtium leaves was prepared.
• Human oral cancer cells (OCC-24) and normal fibroblast cells (HF2FF) were treated with varying concentrations of the extract.
• Cell viability was assessed using the methylthiazol tetrazolium assay after 24-48 hours.
• Inhibitory concentration 50 (IC50) was calculated and data analyzed using statistical tests.

Main Results:

• Nasturtium extract demonstrated statistically significant anticancer effects on oral cancer cells at concentrations above 0.125 mg/ml (24h) and 0.5 mg/ml (48h) (p<0.05).
• Adverse effects on normal fibroblast cells were observed only at high extract concentrations (p<0.05).
• Higher concentrations of Nasturtium extract were required to inhibit cancer cell viability with increased exposure time.

Conclusions:

• Aqueous Nasturtium leaf extract exhibits potential as a therapeutic agent for oral cancer.
• The optimal concentration for therapeutic effect was determined to be 1 mg/ml.
• Further research into Nasturtium's phytochemical constituents and mechanisms of action is warranted.