Bioactive catechins from Potentilla fulgens Wall. ex Sims roots ameliorate oral carcinogenesis through modulation of oxidative stress, inflammatory, and apoptotic pathways.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Potentilla fulgens (PF) roots commonly known as 'Bajradanti' are widely used by indigenous tribes of Northeast India to treat oral diseases. Pieces of the roots were chewed as herbal remedy along with areca-nut to alleviate its harmful effects. While PF showed anticancer property in the gastrointestinal tract, its effects on oral cancer remain unexplored.

AIM: To evaluate the oral anticancer efficacy of PF extracts and bioactive compounds through in vitro, in vivo, and in silico approaches.

METHODS

Epicatechin (EC) and epigallocatechin gallate (ECG) were isolated and tested in a 4-NQO-induced oral cancer mouse model. Swiss albino mice were divided into normal, negative (4-NQO), positive (4-NQO + paclitaxel, 30 mg/kg, i.p.), EA-Pf (4-NQO +200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.), ME-Pf (4-NQO +200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.), EC (4-NQO +50 and 100 mg/kg, i.p.), ECG (4-NQO +50 and 100 mg/kg, i.p.) treated. Oral lesions were assessed via VELscope, histopathology, and biochemical markers for oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and extracellular matrix components. In silico studies was conducted using PyRx.0.8.

RESULTS

EA-Pf (400 mg/kg) and ECG (100 mg/kg) demonstrated significant anticancer effects by enhancing antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GSH) and p53 activity, while reducing oxidative stress markers (LPO, NO), hydroxyproline, hexosamine, sialic acid, and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6). Histological analysis showed reduced dysplasia and tumor features. In silico docking confirmed ECG had the strongest p53 binding affinity compared to paclitaxel and EC.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest PF and its active components possess promising oral anticancer potential by modulating oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptotic pathways.