Rhoifolin Inhibits Cell Growth and Induces Caspase-dependent Apoptosis in Oral Cancer KB Cells

Background Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) represents a considerable worldwide health challenge due to its elevated incidence, morbidity, and fatality rates. Despite extensive research into therapies, the 5-year survival rate for oral cancer has remained poor over the past decades, highlighting the limitations of existing therapies. Purpose The present work assessed the anti-cancer effects of rhoifolin against oral cancer KB cells. Materials and Methods The cytotoxic effect of rhoifolin at various doses (1–50 µM) on oral cancer KB cells was evaluated using an MTT assay. The DAPI and dual staining techniques were employed to assess apoptotic cells in rhoifolin-treated KB cells. The concentrations of caspase enzymes in the rhoifolin-exposed KB cells were evaluated using the kits. Results The MTT assay results revealed that diverse dosages of rhoifolin considerably inhibited the KB cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. The findings of both DAPI and dual staining assays demonstrated that rhoifolin treatment significantly increased apoptotic cell death in oral cancer KB cells. Furthermore, the rhoifolin treatment enhanced the caspase enzyme activities in KB cells. Conclusion The current study shows that rhoifolin demonstrates anti-cancer effects against oral cancer cells by diminishing cell growth and triggering caspase-dependent apoptosis in KB cells. Thus, the current data suggest that rhoifolin may be a promising therapeutic agent for future oral cancer treatment.