In Vitro Evaluation of Antiproliferative Activity of Piper betel Linn. on Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (KB) cell line

Piper betel are well known since time immemorial, and traditionally the leaves are used to treat various diseases like boils and abscesses, conjunctivitis, constipation, swelling of gums, cuts and injuries and burns. Lot of research on betel leaf and its essential oil has been carried out. In our present study the antiproliferative activity of sequential extracts of Piper betel leaf was evaluated on oral carcinoma cell line. Fresh leaves were processed for extract preparation using different solvents. KB cell line was purchased from NCCS Pune and was maintained in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM). Using MTT assay and Trypan-blue dye exclusion method antiproliferative activity was studied. Oral cancer cell line (KB) was tested against four sequential extracts of Piper betel leaf for their antiproliferative activity. From both MTT and trypan blue assay, it was observed that a significantly increased rate of cell death was observed with an increase in the concentration of the extract and the time of incubation with the extract. IC50 values represented that maximum antiproliferative activity was found in case of petroleum ether and chloroform extract compare to methanol and water extract. From the present study it was concluded that the leaf extracts of Piper betel have anti proliferative potential and can be used for the treatment of various ailments including human oral cancer.