Evaluating the Synergistic Effects of Oleuropein and Vitamin C on Head and Neck Cancer Cell Viability and Migration

Year 2025, Volume: 4 Issue: 1, 11 - 17, 13.07.2025

Zişan Fatma Beyaz , Emre Öztürk , Adem Kara

Abstract

Cancer's standard treatment is generally based on cytotoxic drugs, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery. One treatment type in the study is phytotherapy, which uses plant components to treat diseases or improve health. Oleuropein, obtained from olive leaves, is active in olive leaves and fruit. It affects health, such as skin protection, anti-aging, antiviral, and antioxidants. Recent studies have proven that it positively affects humans, including cancer prevention and antimicrobial properties. The other substance to be combined with oleuropein is vitamin C, which has an essential function in the body, inactivates carcinogenic substances taken into the body, and is a known antioxidant that forms a shield against cancer. We will investigate the therapeutic effects of combining oleuropein and vitamin C on head-neck cancer cells (Fadu). We conducted cell viability and scratch (migration) analyses on Fadu cells treated with oleuropein and/or vitamin C at different doses for 24 hours. The cell viability analyses showed that oleuropein and vitamin C treatments significantly reduced cell viability. At the same time, the combined applications of oleuropein and vitamin C also considerably reduced cell viability. In the cell migration test, we observed that oleuropein or vitamin C alone increased the migration while the combined applications significantly reduced it. The results indicate that applying oleuropein or vitamin C leads to decreased cell viability. However, the combined applications of oleuropein and vitamin C offer an effective treatment option by reducing cell viability and migration.

Keywords

Oleuropein , Vitamin C , head and neck cancer , Cancer

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