ANTICANCER EFFECTS OF GREEN BETEL LEAF (Piper betle) on ORAL CANCER

Oral cancer is a major global health concern with high morbidity and mortality rates, requiring the development of effective and relatively safe anticancer agents. Green betel leaf (Piper betle) has been traditionally used in Southeast Asia due to its bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, and essential oils, which exhibit a wide range of pharmacological activities, including anticancer potential. This study aims to evaluate the anticancer effects of green betel leaf extract on oral cancer cells through mechanisms of apoptosis induction, proliferation inhibition, and antioxidant activity that suppress oxidative stress, a key factor in carcinogenesis. Several in vitro studies have demonstrated that ethanolic extracts of green betel leaves significantly reduce oral cancer cell viability by activating caspase-3 and caspase-9 pathways and inducing DNA fragmentation. Additionally, phenolic compounds and eugenol play crucial roles in inhibiting free radical formation, downregulating anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, and enhancing p53 expression associated with cell cycle regulation. These findings suggest that green betel leaf has promising potential as a chemopreventive agent or adjuvant therapy for oral cancer. However, further preclinical and clinical investigations are necessary to confirm its safety, efficacy, and optimal therapeutic dosage.