2Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cairo University, Faculty of Medicine, Giza-Egypt
3Department of Pharmacology, Fayoum University, Faculty of Medicine, Fayoum-Egypt
4Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Benisweif University, Faculty of Medicine, Benisweif-Egypt
5Department of Clinical Pathology, Cairo University, Faculty of Medicine, Giza-Egypt DOI : 10.5505/tjo.2020.2204 OBJECTIVE
Squamous cell carcinoma is a prevalent tumor in the head and neck region. Current treatments have low survival rates. Therefore, physicians are seeking alternative therapies. This work compared the effects of Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), metformin and a combination of both on oral squamous cell carcinoma.
METHODS
This study was performed on human epithelial type 2 (Hep2) cells. Cell viability was estimated by MTT
assay. Gene expression of platelet-derived growth factor, interleukin 6, caspase 3 and survivin was evaluated
by a real-time polymerase chain reaction. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and vascular endothelial
growth factor were assessed by ELISA.
RESULTS
Results showed that cells treated with metformin showed a notable rise in caspase 3 and a significant
decrease in all parameters. EGCG had an insignificant change in all parameters tested except a significant
decrease in ROS. A combination of both showed a remarkable elevation in caspase 3 and a more
pronounced decrease in all parameters.
CONCLUSION
It was concluded that EGCG exhibited a synergistic anti-proliferative, anti-angiogenic, pro-apoptotic
and antioxidant activity on the Hep2 cell line when combined with metformin.