{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,12]],"date-time":"2026-08-12T19:56:27Z","timestamp":1786564587176,"version":"build-2736575974"},"reference-count":43,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"7","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,7]],"date-time":"2026-04-07T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1775520000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Molecules"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains a major clinical challenge, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic strategies. Natural bioactive compounds such as curcumin (Cu) and cordycepin (Co) have shown anticancer potential; however, their effects on cancer cell morphology and behavior remain incompletely characterized. This study assessed the individual and combined effects of Cu and Co on oral squamous cell carcinoma cells (OECM-1) and normal human gingival epithelial cells (HGEpiC) over 24 and 48 h. Metabolic activity, membrane integrity, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammatory responses were evaluated using MTT, LDH, ROS-H2O2, caspase 3\/7, and NO assays. Label-free digital holographic microscopy enabled real-time monitoring of morphology, motility, and proliferation. Both compounds induced ROS-mediated cytotoxicity, but responses were notably more pronounced in OECM-1 than in HGEpiC cells. Real-time morphological profiling revealed distinct response patterns: Co primarily exerted cytostatic effects, whereas Cu induced cell shrinkage, impaired motility, and inhibited cell division. The combination treatment (CC) largely reflected Cu-driven morphological and functional changes, with Co coexisting without counteracting Cu\u2019s effects. Taken together, these findings reveal compound-specific mechanisms of action for Cu and Co in OSCC therapy.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/molecules31071221","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,7]],"date-time":"2026-04-07T13:14:19Z","timestamp":1775567659000},"page":"1221","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":3,"title":["Differential Effects of Curcumin and Cordycepin on Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells: ROS-Mediated Cytotoxicity and Real-Time Morphological Analysis"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"31","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0002-7073-3309","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Bianca","family":"Voicu Balasea","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"The Interdisciplinary Center for Dental Research and Development, \u201cCarol Davila\u201d University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 19\u201321 Jean Louis Calderon, 030167 Bucharest, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-6273-8540","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Miruna-Silvia","family":"Stan","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 91\u201395 Splaiul Independentei, 050095 Bucharest, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Radu","family":"Radulescu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, \u201cCarol Davila\u201d University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 17\u201323 Plevnei Street, 020021 Bucharest, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0003-6970-1307","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ana","family":"Cernega","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Organization, Professional Legislation and Management of the Dental Office, Faculty of Dental Medicine, \u201cCarol Davila\u201d University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 17\u201323 Plevnei Street, 020021 Bucharest, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Kersti","family":"Alm","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Phase Holographic Imaging AB, 223 70 Lund, Sweden"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Monica","family":"Musteanu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University Complutense of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0009-5255-6004","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Florentina","family":"Rus","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, \u201cCarol Davila\u201d University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 17\u201323 Plevnei Street, 020021 Bucharest, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-4345-282X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Alexandra","family":"Ripszky","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"The Interdisciplinary Center for Dental Research and Development, \u201cCarol Davila\u201d University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 19\u201321 Jean Louis Calderon, 030167 Bucharest, Romania"},{"name":"Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, \u201cCarol Davila\u201d University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 17\u201323 Plevnei Street, 020021 Bucharest, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Silviu Mirel","family":"Pituru","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"The Interdisciplinary Center for Dental Research and Development, \u201cCarol Davila\u201d University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 19\u201321 Jean Louis Calderon, 030167 Bucharest, Romania"},{"name":"Department of Organization, Professional Legislation and Management of the Dental Office, Faculty of Dental Medicine, \u201cCarol Davila\u201d University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 17\u201323 Plevnei Street, 020021 Bucharest, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,7]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"44","DOI":"10.1038\/s41368-023-00249-w","article-title":"Oral squamous cell carcinomas: State of the field and emerging directions","volume":"15","author":"Tan","year":"2023","journal-title":"Int. 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