In vitro evaluation of anticancer property of Pugasaram: a polyherbal gel containing mainly arecanut (Areca catechu) and betel (Piper betle) leaf on oral squamous cell carcinoma

Arecanut, the nut of areca palm (Areca catechu L.) is one of the popular chewing substances in the world. It is mostly chewed along with betel leaf (the leaf of Piper betle L.) and slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) in the form of betel quid. Both arecanut and betel leaf have immense medicinal values including anticancer activity. A poly herbal gel, called Pugasaram, containing arecanut and betel leaf as major components along with certain other herbs in minor proportions is prepared and tested for its anticancer property against CAL-27 oral squamous cell carcinoma cells. In this in vitro study, the Pugasaram exhibited both cytotoxic as well as anticancer property against CAL-27 cells with an IC50 value of 500 µg/ml. Cells treated with Pugasaram displayed alteration in cell attachment, proliferation and morphology with significant increase in apoptosis, lower migratory potential and fewer colony formation in such cancer cells. With these results in hand, Pugasaram may be exploited further as a chemotherapeutic drug.