SIRT1-activating butein inhibits arecoline-induced mitochondrial dysfunction through PGC1α and MTP18 in oral cancer

Mitochondrial dysfunction associated with mitochondrial DNA mutations, enzyme defects, generation of ROS, and altered oxidative homeostasis is known to induce oral carcinogenesis during exposure to arecoline. Butein, a natural small molecule from Butea monosperma, possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and anti-cancer effects. However, the role of butein in the mitochondrial quality control mechanism has not been illuminated clearly.