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EVALUATION OF QUERCETIN, MYRICETIN AND THEIR COMBINATION AS FLAVONOIDS WITH ANTITUMOUR POTENTIAL IN HEAD AND NECK CANCER MODELS: AN IN VITRO AND IN OVO STUDY

MIHAELA IULIANA SIRBU (CIORTAN) 1,2, IASMINA-ALEXANDRA PREDESCU 3,4*, DELIA IOANA HORHAT 2, ION CRISTIAN MOT 2, ANDREEA-MIHAELA BANȚA 1, ALEXANDRU ORĂȘAN 2, ANDA IOANA MORGOVAN 2, NICOLAE CONSTANTIN BALICA 2, ŞERBAN TALPOŞ 5

1 Doctoral School, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 30041 Timișoara, Romania
2 Department of Ear, Nose and Throat, Faculty of Medicine, "Victor Babeș" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 2 Eftimie Murgu Sq., 300041 Timisoara, Romania
3 Department of Toxicology, Drug Industry, Management and Legislation, Faculty of Pharmacy, "Victor Babeș" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2nd Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
4 Research Centre for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluation, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2 Eftimie Murgu Square, 300041, Timișoara, Romania
5 Discipline of Oral and Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Faculty of Dental Medicine, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania

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Head and neck cancers (HNCs), including laryngeal and pharyngeal malignancies, remain a significant clinical challenge due to late diagnosis, treatment resistance, and adverse effects associated with conventional therapies. In this context, natural flavonoids such as quercetin (QUE) and myricetin (MYR) have emerged as promising candidates for cancer therapy, given their documented antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumour properties. This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic and irritant potential of QUE and MYR, individually and in combination, on the A253 salivary gland carcinoma cell line, a relevant in vitro model frequently used in HNC cancer research. Cell viability, confluence, morphology, and apoptotic nuclear changes were assessed after 24 hours of exposure to various concentrations (25 - 200 μM). Results demonstrated a dose-dependent reduction in viability and confluence, with more pronounced effects in the combined treatment group. Hoechst 33342 staining revealed apoptotic-like nuclear alterations, and the calculated apoptotic index confirmed enhanced pro-apoptotic activity for the QUE + MYR combination. Additionally, the in ovo HET-CAM assay indicated no vascular irritation for any of the tested variants. Overall, the findings support the therapeutic potential of QUE and MYR - particularly in combination - as bioactive, non-irritant agents for future HNC treatment strategies.