Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a major public health concern with high incidence and mortality, particularly in India. Despite advances in treatment, outcomes remain poor, which has encouraged the exploration of complementary therapies. Hydrastis canadensis (HC) (Goldenseal), rich in the alkaloid berberine (BBR), exhibits anticancer potential. Preclinical studies report that BBR induces apoptosis, arrests the cell cycle, inhibits angiogenesis and metastasis, and suppresses cancer stem cells through pathways involving p53, mitogen-activated protein kinase, BAX/BCL-2, and reactive oxygen species. In vivo models confirm tumor suppression and enhanced chemosensitivity. While promising, these findings are currently limited to laboratory studies, and clinical trials are needed to establish safety and efficacy in humans. OSCC is one of the most prevalent cancers in India, contributing significantly to global cancer morbidity and mortality. Despite advances in diagnosis and therapy, treatment outcomes remain unsatisfactory, prompting interest in plant-based compounds with anticancer potential. HC (Goldenseal), a perennial herb of the Ranunculaceae family rich in alkaloids such as BBR, has demonstrated promising preclinical activity through induction of apoptosis, inhibition of tumor growth, and modulation of molecular pathways involved in cancer progression. This study aims to review and assess preclinical evidence on the anticancer potential of HC (Goldenseal) and its key alkaloid, BBR, in oral cancer. It focuses on analyzing in vitro and in vivo studies, identifying key molecular mechanisms such as apoptosis induction and cell cycle arrest to support future clinical exploration. The literature reviewed suggests that the experiments performed on HC show an effective nature against oral cancer. The reviewed studies cover several dimensions of oral cancer. Although its risk factors are well known, challenges in early detection and effective treatment persist. Natural compounds such as HC (Goldenseal) have shown encouraging preclinical results, suggesting their potential as complementary approaches in cancer care.
Chauhan et al. (Tue,) studied this question.