Oral pre-malignant cells inhibition through expression of superoxide dismutase and caspase-3 by potential antioxidants of banana stem (Musaceae)
Abstract: Premalignant lesions are potential malignant lesions in the oral cavity. The exact etiology of premalignant lesions is not yet known. The antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) plays a protective role against reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative damage. Caspase-3 is involved in nuclear apoptosis and is considered an effector caspase. Decreased expression of caspase-3 can lead to the transformation of pre-cancerous lesions into malignant ones. Banana stem (Musaceae) contains various active compounds which contribute to apoptosis mechanisms and enhance the ability to combat free radicals that cause pre-cancerous lesions. Objective: To determine the antioxidant potential of banana stem by examining the expression of SOD and caspase-3 in pre-cancerous lesions in Wistar rats. Material and methods: This research uses narrative review focuses on full-text articles from scientific databases like PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar from year 2013–2023. Discussion: The compounds found in banana, such as lectin, palmitic acid, and quercetin, have different mechanisms in increasing the expression of Caspase-3. Activated caspases perform their tasks by inducing apoptosis in damaged cells, allowing the proliferation of healthy cells in pre-cancerous lesion conditions. The constituents of banana, such as flavonoids, quercetin, and saponin, can enhance SOD expression, thereby suppressing the formation of free radicals by converting superoxide radicals (O2*) into hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Conclusion: Banana stem (Musaceae) has antioxidant potential due to the presence of active compounds such as flavonoids (quercetin), lectin, palmitic acid, and saponin, which can enhance the expression of SOD and caspase.
Keywords: Antioxidants, Banana stems, Caspase-3, Oral premalignant, Superoxide dismutase
