Abstract

Despite increased use of early detection methods and more aggressive treatment strategies, the worldwide incidence of colorectal cancer is still on the rise. Consequently, it remains urgent to identify novel agents with enhanced efficacy in prevention and/or therapeutic protocols. Our studies focused on the use of Plumbagin, a natural phytochemical that showed promising results against other tumor types, to determine its effectiveness in blocking the proliferation and survival of colon cancer cells in experimental protocols mimicking the environment in primary tumors (attached culture conditions) and in circulating tumor cells (unattached conditions). Under both experimental settings, exposure of HCT116 cells to Plumbagin concentrations in the low micromolar range resulted in cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase, apoptosis via the mitochondrial cell death pathway, and increased production of reactive oxygen species. The cell cycle effects were more noticeable in attached cells, whereas the induction of cell death was more evident in unattached cells. These effects were consistent with the nature and the magnitude of the alterations induced by Plumbagin on the expression levels of a set of proteins known to play key roles in the regulation of cell cycle dynamics, apoptosis mechanisms and cell proliferation. In light of its previously reported lack of toxicity on normal colon cells and the striking anti-survival effect on colon cancer cells observed in our study, Plumbagin should be considered a promising drug for the treatment of colon cancer.

Highlights

  • IntroductionColorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of death in the world, and is the third most common cancer in

  • Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of death in the world, and is the third most common cancer inKey words: Plumbagin, medicinal herbs, cell cycle, apoptosis, colorectal cancer the United States [1]

  • In order to test any possible differential effect of Plumbagin on attached or unattached CRC cells, we utilized two treatment conditions: HCT116 cells were exposed to Plumbagin either i) at the seeding time, when they will remain unattached for several hours, or ii) 24 h after the cultures had been established, when all cells were already attached to the substrate

Read more

Summary

Introduction

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of death in the world, and is the third most common cancer in. As it was previously reported that Plumbagin does not show any toxicity on normal colon cells [20], our data suggest that, on the basis of predominant killing of cancer cells, Plumbagin should be considered as a promising drug for the treatment for colon cancer

Methods
Results
Conclusion
Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.