Abstract
Introduction
Oral squamous cell carcinoma is one of the most common head and neck cancers,
which is associated with drug resistance and high mortality rates. The
PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway plays a crucial role in the survival, growth, and
metastasis of cancer cells, making it a suitable target for targeted
therapy.
Objective
This study investigated the antitumor effects of gallic
acid on CAL-27 cells, with a focus on the aforementioned pathway.
Methods
CAL-27 cells were treated with different concentrations of gallic acid for 48
hours, and the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide
assay was performed to assess viability. The expression of key genes and
proteins in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, as well as apoptosis-related genes,
was evaluated using the quantitative real-time reverse transcription
polymerase chain reaction and western blot. Also, the activity of
caspase-3/7 enzymes and the level of apoptosis were measured by fluorometric
methods and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Results
Gallic acid significantly decreased oral squamous cell carcinoma cell
viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The expression of PI3K, AKT,
and mTOR genes and proteins was decreased, while PTEN expression was
increased. Also, the increase in Bax expression and caspase activity
indicated a strong induction of apoptosis by gallic acid.
Conclusions
Gallic acid exhibits significant anticancer effects in oral squamous cell
carcinoma cells by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and activating
apoptotic pathways. This natural compound may contribute to the development
of targeted therapies for oral cancer, pending further preclinical
validation.
Keywords Gallic acid - oral squamous cell carcinoma - PI3K/AKT pathway - apoptosis
