*Corresponding Author: Dr. V Manju, Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Periyar University, Salem, India. Email: manjucb11@gmail.com
Cervical cancer poses a significant global health burden, driven primarily by persistent infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) which continues to be the leading cause of cancer related morbidity and mortality in women. Conventional chemotherapeutic agents are often limited by toxicity and resistance, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic approaches from plants which are safely consumed by humans. This study evaluated the anticancer potential of Dioscorea transversa R. Br extracts in human cervical cancer cell lines with normal mouse fibroblast cells (L929). The tubers of this plant are consumed by local tribes in northern Kerala during scarcity of food and it is also combined with other ingredients in their traditional postnatal oral rejuvenation preparations. However, this plant is rarely studied for its biochemical impacts in humans.
The extracts significantly reduced cell viability in cervical cancer cell lines, while showing no cytotoxicity against L929 cells confirming their selective action. The extracts induced significant increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). The elevated ROS level was correlated with mitochondrial dysfunction and instigation of intrinsic apoptotic signals as confirmed by Annexin V and caspase activation assays. Furthermore, Western blot analyses revealed upregulation of p53 and downregulation of Rb phosphorylation suggesting restoration of key cell cycle regulatory pathways. Importantly, the extracts demonstrated differential sensitivity between HPV positive (HeLa, SiHa) and HPV negative (C33A) cells, indicating involvement in HPV oncogene suppression in their mechanism of action.
Collectively, these findings demonstrate that bioactive compounds in extracts selectively induced ROS mediated apoptosis and modulate tumour suppression pathways, while sparing normal fibroblasts thereby exerting potent anticancer effects in cervical models. This study highlights the therapeutic promise of Dioscorea transversa R. Br as an adjunct or alternative agent for cervical cancer management and supports its further development for cervical cancer management.
Keywords: Cervical cancer, Dioscorea transversa, Polyphenol, HeLa, SiHa, C33A, ROS, apoptosis.
How to cite this article: Geetha KG, Mohan MC, Manju V. Dioscorea transversa R. Br extracts elicit ROS generation and apoptotic signalling through p53 and Rb modulation in cervical cancer models. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(3s): 764-771; DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.3s.93
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None