2'-Hydroxycinnamaldehyde shows antitumor activity against oral cancer in vitro and in vivo in a rat tumor model.

BACKGROUND 2'-Hydroxycinnamaldehyde (HCA) exerts antitumor activity against several human cancer cell lines. However, its antitumor activity in oral cancer has not been demonstrated. MATERIALS AND METHODS The antitumor activity of HCA was assessed in oral cancer cell lines and in a rat oral tumor model. RESULTS Cell cycle analysis confirmed that HCA showed anti-proliferative activity via cell cycle arrest at the G(2)/M-phase and increased the number of cells in the sub-G(1) (apoptotic cells) phase in SCC-15 and HEp-2 oral cancer cells. Additionally, direct injection of HCA into an RK3E-ras-Fluc-induced tumor significantly inhibited growth of the tumor mass. Histological analysis showed that HCA decreased tumor cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in a rat tumor model. CONCLUSION Taken together, these observations suggest the potential value of HCA as a candidate for the treatment of oral cancer.