Modulatory effect of Glycyrrhiza glabra on the cytokine secretion by stromal cells derived from oral submucous fibrosis and oral squamous cell carcinoma tissue

LADKE, VAIBHAV SUNIL; Kumbhar, Gauri M.; Suryawanshi, Poonam; Joshi, Kalpana

doi:10.22038/ajp.2026.27374

Modulatory effect of Glycyrrhiza glabra on the cytokine secretion by stromal cells derived from oral submucous fibrosis and oral squamous cell carcinoma tissue

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Research Article

Authors

¹ Tissue Culture &amp;amp; Cell Biology Lab. Central Research Facility. Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre. Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, (Deemed to Be University). Sant Tukaram Nagar, Pimpri, Pune. India. Pune: 411018

² Department of Oral Pathology. Dr. D. Y. Patil Dental College and Hospital. Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth (Deemed to Be University). Sant Tukaram Nagar, Pimpri, Pune. India. 411018

³ Central Research Facility. Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre. Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth (Deemed to Be University). Sant Tukaram Nagar, Pimpri, Pune. India. 411018

⁴ Department of Biotechnology, Sinhgad College of Engineering. Vadgaon BK. Pune 411041

10.22038/ajp.2026.27374

Abstract

Objective: Research on inflammation pathways that influence cancer cells, infiltrating leukocytes, and surrounding stromal cells promoting tumour growth has gained significant attention. This study explains how mesenchymal stem cells from oral submucous fibrosis and oral squamous cell carcinoma tissue have their cytokine secretion influenced by ethanolic extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra root, highlighting their roles in tumour development and progression.
Methods: Mesenchymal cells from oral submucous fibrosis and oral cancer tissues were identified, characterized, and cultivated. We used the MTT assay to assess cell viability. Cytokine evaluation was performed in mesenchymal cells from oral submucous fibrosis and oral squamous cell carcinoma tissues.
Results: Oral squamous cell carcinoma mesenchymal stem cells showed higher levels of CXCL-10 (Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 10). CCL-2, IL-6, and TGF-beta were analyzed in relation to oral submucous fibrosis mesenchymal stromal cells through cytokine profiling. Glycyrrhiza glabra lowered inflammation and tumor-promoting factors CXCL-10, CCL-2, and TGF-beta in OSCC-mesenchymal stem cells. The result also caused a reduction in IL-4 and IL-1β levels in oral submucous fibrosis-mesenchymal stromal cells.
Conclusion: Our research indicates that mesenchymal stem cells and stromal cells could be important targets for treating oral submucous fibrosis and oral squamous cell carcinoma. These cells can reduce inflammation in the tumour microenvironment, slow tumour growth, and stop malignant transformation by influencing key cytokines.

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