Effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on the colorectal cancer via the β-catenin pathway.

Abstract

Objective To study the effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on the expression of β-catenin, c-myc and cyclin D1 in colorectal cancer cell line SW480. Methods The changes of mRNA and protein expression of β-catenin, cyclin DI and c-myc were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot after culturing the colorectal cancer cell line SW400 with different concentrations of CAPE (2.5, 5.0, 10.0 mg/L) for 24 hours and 48 hours. Results After the treatment of CAPE, the mRNA expression of β-catenin, cyclin D1 and c-myc were decreased from 1.05±0. 26, 0.87±0.09, 0.63 ± 0. 09 to 0.67 ±0. 10, 0.51±0.14, 0.32±0.14, respectively, and the protein expression of β-catenin, cyclin D1 and c-myc were decreased from 204±52, 111±11, 87±7 to 52±16, 52±16, 32±12, respectively. There was a significant difference in the decrease of mRNA and protein expression of β-catenin, cyclin D1 and c-myc in colorectal cancer cell line SW480 with and without treatment of CAPE (F=5.724, 6.793, 7.026, 15.936, 14.889, 14.162, 31.147, 28.881, 6.322, 17.647, 9.584, P<0.05 ). The inhibition effect of CAPE was displayed in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Conclusions CAPE can obstruct the β-catenin pathway, and down-regulate the transcription and expression of β-catenin, cyclin D1 and c-myc. The anti-tumor effect of CAPE may be related to the decreased expression of β-catenin, cyclin DI and c-myc. Key words: Colorectal neoplasms; Caffeic acid phenethyl ester; β-catenin