Extraction of local artocarpus heterophyllus (Jackfruit) seeds and its ffects on the migration of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC)

Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is an aggressive malignancy with poor prognosis and limited therapeutic success. Artocarpus heterophyllus (jackfruit) is a tropical fruit rich in phytochemicals such as flavonoids, saponins, tannins, and lectins like jacalin, which have demonstrated antioxidant and anticancer properties in previous studies. Extracts from jackfruit seeds have been reported to inhibit cancer cell proliferation and metastasis through the suppression of cell migration and induction of apoptosis. This study investigates the anti-migratory effects of aqueous Artocarpus heterophyllus seed extract and purified jacalin on ORL-48 OSCC cell culture. Methods: Jackfruit seeds were first prepared and subjected to aqueous extraction to obtain the crude extract. ORL-48 cells were cultured in DMEM F-12 supplemented with FBS and antibiotics under standard incubator conditions. The cells were then either treated with the jackfruit seed crude extract, purified jacalin, cisplatin (a chemotherapy drug), or left untreated as a control. Cell migration was assessed using a scratch assay, in which a uniform wound was created on the cell monolayer. Wound closure was monitored over time to indicate cell migration. The extent of cell migration was then quantified using ImageJ software. Results: The ORL-48 cells that were treated with crude extract demonstrated the lowest wound closure (6.37%), followed by jacalin (13.45%), cisplatin (20.80%), and control (25.98%). Although not statistically significant (p>0.05), the ORL-48 cells treated with crude extract showed minimal cell migration, indicated by the least wound closure. These findings suggest the crude extract had the strongest OSCC cell inhibitory potential amongst the three treatments. Conclusion: The aqueous extract of jackfruit seeds exhibited potential anti-migratory properties against OSCC cells, warranting further investigation in preclinical studies as a potential anti-migratory agent for oral cancer.