Evaluation of Berberis aristata Extract and Berberine for Anti-Oral Cancer Potential

Background: Traditional ayurveda medication Berberis aristata possesses a wide range of biological activities, including antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and anticancer, etc. Protoberberine, berberine, and bis-isoquinoline are the three primary alkaloids discovered in Berberis aristata, however, berberine is generally considered to be the main one. Extract of Berberis aristata has been shown to have the ability to stop the spread of cancer cells. Aim: To evaluate the ability of Berberis aristata to combat the human oral cancer cell line (SCC-29B). Materials and Methods: A methanolic extract of Berberis aristata stem was prepared. The alkaloidal fraction was separated from the extract. Through preparative TLC, berberine was isolated. UV, HPLC, HPTLC, and LCMS/MS were used to characterise the extract, alkaloidal fraction, and isolated berberine in order to validate its presence. The SRB assay method was used to evaluate the anticancer potential of extract and berberine against human oral cancer cell line SCC-29B. Statistical analysis was done. Docking studies were conducted to understand binding affinity of berberine with different targets of oral cancer. Berberine showed comparable binding affinity to Adriamycin with tested targets. Results: Berberis aristata stem extract was found to significantly control % cell growth of SCC-29B cell line. It may be deduced that Berberis aristata stem extract has the potential to have anticancer properties against oral squamous cell carcinoma. Conclusion: Berberis aristata can be thought as a possible therapeutic plant having anticancer efficacy against oral squamous cell carcinoma.