ABSTRACT
Background(s): Cancer represents one of the major healthcare issues worldwide with a rapid increase in cases but with limited cure. Oral cancer contributes about 3% of total cancer, with oral squamous cell carcinoma largely representing about 90% of all oral cancer. Given the high morbidity and mortality, finding effective ways that come with minimized side effects to treat cancer continues to be of great importance in the medical field. Plants, for instance, Apium graveolens Linn., are a rich source of novel chemical entities, which provide a promising line for research on cancer treatment. Objective(s): This review aimed to take an investigative approach to the possibility of future research on oral cancer using A. graveolens. Method(s): References for this review were identified through searches of PubMed, Google Scholar, and official reports and websites of global health organizations with the search terms “oral cancer”, “anticancer”, “Apium graveolens”, and “apoptosis” from 2004 to 2022. References published in English and Indonesian language were considered for this review. Main finding(s): A. graveolens is widely cultivated for consumption and its uses in traditional medicine. Its pharmacological activities range from anticancer, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and antihypercholesterolemia to antihypertensive. It is reported to possess many bioactive compounds with anticancer properties. Previous studies had shown the ability of A. graveolens to reduce the viability and induce apoptosis of several types of cancer such as prostate, rhabdomyosarcoma, and stomach cancer. Currently, there are no studies against oral cancer being reported. Conclusion(s): The current findings firmly support A. graveolens as a rich source of bioactive compounds and illustrate the importance of its pharmacological profile as an anticancer agent. Future research on the anticancer activity of A. graveolens against oral cancer should be encouraged.
