RETRACTED: Inhibiting the PI3K/Akt, NF-κB signalling pathways with syringic acid for attenuating the development of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells SCC131 (Retracted article. See vol. 75, pg. 142, 2023)

Objectives To evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative effect of syringic acid (SRA) on oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) SCC131 cells via suppression of NF-kappa B-induced PI3K/Akt signalling pathway. Methods The present study assesses the anticancer effects of SRA alongside human oral cancer (HOC) SCC131 cells through the fabrication of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activated apoptosis. DAPI and Rh-123 staining were used to assess the apoptotic nuclear characteristic, mitochondrial membrane potential, cell adhesion and migration by fluorescence microscope with SRA treatment. Key findings Syringic acid inhibits cell viability (IC(50)values of 25 mu m), adhesion, migration and induced apoptosis. MTT assay demonstrated SRA-induced apoptotic events, inhibition of invasion and angiogenic signalling in SCC131 cell line. Furthermore, SRA treated with SCC131 cells suppresses the protein expression of inflammatory, angiogenesis and PI3K/Akt signalling pathways. It is suggested that SRA prevents the translocation of NF-kappa B and PI3K/Akt activated products to the nucleus, thereby suppressing angiogenesis via downregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor. Conclusions Therefore, addition of SRA to SCC131 cells may provide a promising natural therapeutic strategy against squamous cell carcinomas with potential application in clinical analysis.