Targeted phytotherapy for reactive oxygen species linked oral cancer

Abstract

Medicinal plants play a major role in medical and health needs. In developing countries, there is an increasing attempt to incorporate the traditional medicines, especially herbal preparations in the local healthcare systems and people are increasingly turning to herbal medicine. Plant derived therapies are suggested for its cost effectiveness, fewer side effects and lesser frequencies of resistance. The aim of this study is to understand the free radical scavenging properties of selected Indian medicinal plants and their cytotoxicity against oral cancer cell lines.The plant parts were shade dried, powdered and extracted using methanol solvent. These extracts were analyzed for the free radical scavenging properties in Cell lines by Nitric oxide assay. Further, an MTT assay was performed to understand the cytotoxicity of the extracts. Data showed a significant percentage of inhibition of the free radicals and cytotoxicity against the oral cancer cell lines.Selected plants have been shown to possess inhibitory potentials against ROS-linked oral cancers and may be used for targeted phytotherapy.