Abstract:
Aims: oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common form of oral cancer and is currently
largely treated by surgery and/or radiation. Significant complications can occur because of these
treatments. Adjunct therapies that are safer and less toxic are being explored. This study aims to
investigate the potential anti-cancerous effect of the flaxseed on oral squamous carcinoma cells in vitro
and determine the possible modulation of the activity of cisplatin by flaxseed using different durations
of applications. Material and Methods: OSCC cell line cells were cultured and the MTT assay was used
to assess cell metabolic activity. Results: The antiproliferative effect of flaxseed oil at 24 and 48 hours
as measured by the IC50 was 71.48±4.26 ug/ml and 18.11±1.36 ug/ml respectively. The mean
percentage of viable cells at 24 and 48 hours when treated with flaxseed oil was 66.2+/-14.6 and 56.3+/-
12.7, p-value <0.001. At 24 hours, the antiproliferative effect of cisplatin alone vs. when combined with
flaxseed oil as measured by the IC50 was 9.59 +/- 0.32 ug/ml vs. 12.91+/- 0.94 ug/ml. The mean
percentage of viable cells when treated with cisplatin alone vs. flaxseed oil combined with Cisplatin
was 52.8+/- 14.4% vs. 55.1+/-15.5%, p-value=0.02. At 48 hours, the antiproliferative effect of cisplatin
alone vs. when combined with flaxseed oil as measured by the IC50 was 2.70±0.11 ug/ml vs. 1.55±0.04
ug/ml. The mean percentage of viable cells when treated with cisplatin alone vs. flaxseed oil combined
with Cisplatin was 45.4+/- 12.1 vs. 42.1+/-12.5, p-value=0.004. Conclusion: Further studies to explore
potential mechanisms of the anticancer effect of flaxseed oil are needed.
