Extract of Ficus septica modulates apoptosis and migration in human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells

Abstract According to the alarming statistical analysis of global cancer, there are over 19 million new diagnoses and more than 10 million deaths each year. One such cancer is the oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), which requires new therapeutic strategies. Ficus septica extract has been used in traditional medicine to treat infectious diseases. In this study, we examined the anti‐proliferative effects of an extract of F. septica bark (FSB) in OSCC cells. Our results showed that FSB caused a concentration‐dependent reduction in the viability of SCC2095 OSCC cells, as determined by 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assays, and was less sensitive to fibroblasts. In addition, FSB induced apoptosis by activating caspases, accompanied by the modulation of Akt/mTOR/NF‐κB and mitogen‐activated protein kinase signaling. Moreover, FSB increased reactive oxygen species generation in a concentration‐dependent manner in SCC2095 cells. Furthermore, FSB inhibited cell migration and modulated the levels of the cell adhesion molecules including E‐cadherin, N‐cadherin, and Snail in SCC2095 cells. Pinoresinol, a lignan isolated from FSB, showed antitumor effects in SCC2095 cells, implying that this compound might play an important role in FSB‐induced OSCC cell death. Taken together, FSB is a potential anti‐tumor agent against OSCC cells.