Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Anticancer and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Oridonin in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) constitutes one of the most common pathological forms of oral cancers. Oridonin is an ent-kaurane diterpenoid compound isolated from Rabdosia rubescens. Recently, the anticancer potential of Oridonin has been extensively studied in breast, osteosarcoma, myeloma, neuroblastoma, lymphoma, pancreatic, colon, leukemia, and esophageal cancers. The anticancer potential of Oridonin is largely unexplored in OSCC. Method. This study aimed to provide insights into the multifunctional anticancer activities of Oridonin in OSCC. We carried out an extensive and critical literature survey on research related to the importance of medicinal plants in various cancers, role of Oridonin as potential anticancer agents in OSCC up to 2025 using keywords apoptotic proteins, antitumor activities, cell cycle arrest, diterpenoid, inflammasomes, Notch signaling pathway, natural products, Oridonin, oral squamous cell carcinoma, and oral cancer treatment. Results. Oridonin induces cell apoptosis in oral cancer cells (OCC) by regulating mitochondrial and ROS-mediated JNK/p38 MAPK, acting as cell cycle blocker at the G2/M phase pathways, and increasing the expression of γH2AX. Oridonin plays an essential role in OSCC tumorigenesis by inhibiting the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway. Blocking Notch signaling dysregulation and specific inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome are the other cellular mechanism by which Oridonin can exhibit its antitumor activities. Conclusion. Oridonin can serve as a potential anticancer drug in OSCC due to its involvement in multiple cellular signaling pathways.