Article · Volume 19, Issue 4 · pp. 874–884
Induction of Apoptosis by Cynaropicrin in Human Colon Cancer Cell Line HCT-116 through the Mitochondria-mediated Apoptotic Pathway
Lei Wang1, Xiaoqin Bie2, Suresh Mickymaray3,4, Abdulaziz S. Alothaim3, Yan Pei1, Huaping Gong5
- 1Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
- 2Department of Gastroenterology, Huai’an Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Huaian, Jiangsu, China
- 3Department of Biology, College of Science, Al-Zulfi, Majmaah University, Majmaah, Saudi Arabia
- 4Centre of Molecular Medicine and Diagnostics (COMManD), Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
- 5First Clinical College, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
Abstract
Background: Colon cancer continues to be the third most commonly occurring cancer around the globe with both lifestyle-related risk factors and genetic dispositions. Owing to the increased incidence of the disease, there is a need to find new treatment options which are easily accessible and less toxic to the cells. Cynaropicrin, a sesquiterpene extract from the artichoke plant exhibits varied properties such as anti-inflammatory, anti cancer, and anti oxidant among others. In the current investigation, the anti-cancer potential of the cynaropicrin extract was observed against colon cancer in HCT-116 cell lines.Materials and Methods: The drug exhibited a considerable decrease in cell proliferation. Also analyzed was the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and apoptosis induction by cynaropicrin on the HCT-116 cell line. The AO/EtBr staining confirmed the apoptotic induction through chromatin condensation by fluorescence microscopic examination followed by DAPI staining of the treated HCT-116 cells which showed nuclear condensation and disintegration.Results: Furthermore, it was observed that cynaropicrin elevated the levels of ROS in the cells which modified the mitochondrial membrane permeability in the HCT-116 cell lines. The study also evaluated the levels of apoptotic proteins and the expression of inflammatory cytokines concerning cells treated with cynaropicrin and untreated control cells.Conclusion: It has been observed that cynaropicrin treatment can lead to apoptosis in the HCT-116 cell line via mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathway and if further evaluated, it can turn out to be a potent anti-cancer drug for effective management of colon cancer.
Keywords: Colon cancer; cynaropicrin; apoptosis; HCT-116 cell line; reactive oxygen species
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