Anticancer and Immunomodulatory Effects of Ocimum Sanctum Linn on Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma—An In-Vitro Study

Abstract

Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) constitutes a major health burden in developing countries, with chronic inflammation and dysregulation of the tumour microenvironment (TME) playing an important role in carcinogenesis.
Aim: To evaluate the anticancer and immunomodulatory effects of Ocimum sanctum on oral cancer and immune cell lines in vitro.
Materials and Methods: KB oral cancer cells and RAW 264.7 macrophages were treated with different concentrations of standardised Ocimum sanctum extract. All investigations were conducted in triplicate to confirm reproducibility. Cytotoxicity was evaluated using MTT assay and IC₅₀ values were calculated. Apoptosis was evaluated by Annexin V–PI flow cytometry. Cytokine modulation was analysed using a cytokine assay. The study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee.
Results: Ocimum sanctum demonstrated dose- and time-dependent cytotoxicity against KB cells with IC₅₀ values of 323.8 µg/mL at 24 hours and 292.7 µg/mL at 48 hours. Flow cytometric analysis showed predominant early apoptosis (76 ± 2%) at IC₅₀ concentration. Significant downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL 1β, CXCL 10, and IL 17 was observed in RAW 264.7 cells.
Conclusion: Ocimum sanctum exhibits significant anticancer and immunomodulatory activity, supporting its potential as a complementary therapeutic agent in OSCC.