Preferential cytotoxicity of caffeic acid phenethyl ester analogues on oral cancer cells.

As part of our previous search for new compounds with improved biological activities including antibiotic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and tumor growth inhibition activities, we synthesized some caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE)-like compounds from commercially available caffeic acid. Nine chemicals were tested by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay on the growth of buccal mucosal fibroblast (BF), oral submucosus fibroblast (OSF), neck metastasis of Gingiva carcinoma (GNM), and tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCCa) cells. CAPE and its ethyl analogue show significant cytotoxicity on OSF, GNM, and TSCCa cells, but not on BF cells. The results suggest that CAPE-like compounds may be potential chemotherapy agents against oral cancer.