In Vitro Evaluation of Light-Induced Cytotoxic Property: Synergistic Effects of Anthocyanin/Curcumin as a Photosensitizer

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Photodynamic therapy is one of the non-invasive treatment modalities used to treat a wide range of oral mucosal lesions including oral leukoplakia, oral lichen planus, post-radiation-induced oral mucositis, and aphthous ulcerations. High-level laser therapy has also been employed in the management of oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs). Photodynamic therapy includes three major components: photosensitizer, light source, and presence of oxygen. Examples of commonly used photosensitizers are methylene blue; porphyrins; and 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) with light sources of differing wavelengths such as diode, neon, and argon helium. METHODOLOGY: Anthocyanin extract was prepared from 25 g of Punica granatum diluted with methanol through the flash evaporation method. Curcumin extract was prepared by diluting initially with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and later with distilled water. Post-preparation, the samples were treated with MCF-7 cells (cancer cell line) and the MTT (mono-tetrazolium salt) test was performed to determine cell viability.  Results: The anthocyanin group exhibited cell death of 27%, whereas the curcumin group exhibited cell death of 17%. A group containing a combination of anthocyanin-curcumin exhibited cell death of 30% compared to that of the control group proving to be superior among all the groups. CONCLUSION: Anthocyanin-curcumin proved to have a light cytotoxic property and could be further used in managing various oral mucosal lesions after evaluation of other photophysical properties.