A Nutrient Mixture Inhibits MMP Secretion, Invasion, Growth, and Induction of Apoptosis in Human Tongue Cancer Cell Line SC-255

A majority of oral cancers is squamous cell carcinoma and tongue carcinomas comprise 30% of all oral cancers. Phytochemicals, herbal and dietary antioxidants have been reported to prevent cancers. A nutrient mixture containing, ascorbic acid, lysine, proline and green tea extract, among other nutrients, has previously been shown to exhibit a broad spectrum chemo preventative and therapeutic anti-cancer properties in a number of cell lines. In a recent study, we found that the nutrient mixture significantly inhibited acetaminophen induced hepatic and renal toxicity, and it suppressed carbon tetrachloride induced hepatic toxicity in ICR mice as well. This study was undertaken to determine if the nutrient mixture is useful in inhibiting various parameters of cancer progression on human tongue cancer cell line SC-255. SC-255 cells were grown in a Dulbecco’s Eagle medium and treated with the nutrient mixture at 0, 10, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 μg/ml, in triplicate. The nutrient mixture exhibited 20% and 30% toxicity at 500 and 1000 μg/ml, respectively. Zymography demonstrated the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9; and PMA treatment further enhanced MMP-9 activity. The nutrient mixture inhibited the secretion of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in a dose-dependent fashion with a total inhibition at 500 μg/ml. Matrigel invasion was significantly reduced by 40%, 80% and 100% at 100, 500 and 1000 μg/ml, respectively. The nutrient mixture also inhibited cell migration and induced apoptosis in a dose response fashion. Thus, the nutrient mixture may have a potential in the tongue cancer treatment.