Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 18, 2026
In vitro Organoid Culture of Primary Mouse Colon Tumors
Published on: May 17, 2013
Plant phenolics decrease intestinal tumors in an animal model of familial adenomatous polyposis
N N Mahmoud1, A M Carothers, D Grunberger
1The New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, 525 East 68th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA.
Abstract:
Epidemiological studies consistently indicate that consumption of fruits and vegetables lowers cancer risk in humans and suggest that certain dietary constituents may be effective in preventing colon cancer. Plant-derived phenolic compounds manifest many beneficial effects and can potentially inhibit several stages of carcinogenesis in vivo. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of several plant-derived phenolics, including caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), curcumin, quercetin and rutin, for the prevention of tumors in C57BL/6J-Min/+ (Min/+) mice. These animals bear a germline mutation in the Apc gene and spontaneously develop numerous intestinal adenomas by 15 weeks of age. At a dietary level of 0.15%, CAPE decreased tumor formation in Min/+ mice by 63%. Curcumin induced a similar tumor inhibition. Quercetin and rutin, however, both failed to alter tumor formation at dietary levels of 2%. Examination of intestinal tissue from the treated animals showed that tumor prevention by CAPE and curcumin was associated with increased enterocyte apoptosis and proliferation. CAPE and curcumin also decreased expression of the oncoprotein beta-catenin in the enterocytes of the Min/+ mouse, an observation previously associated with an antitumor effect. These data place the plant phenolics CAPE and curcumin among a growing list of anti-inflammatory agents that suppress Apc-associated intestinal carcinogenesis.
Insights
Plant-derived compounds caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) and curcumin show promise in preventing colon cancer by reducing tumor formation in mice. These natural compounds may inhibit key stages of carcinogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Nutritional Science
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Epidemiological studies link fruit and vegetable consumption to reduced human cancer risk.
- Plant-derived phenolic compounds exhibit beneficial effects and may inhibit carcinogenesis.
- Intestinal adenomas can be studied in C57BL/6J-Min/+ mice with an Apc gene mutation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of plant-derived phenolics (CAPE, curcumin, quercetin, rutin) in preventing intestinal tumors.
- To assess the impact of these compounds on Apc-associated intestinal carcinogenesis in vivo.
- To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying tumor prevention by these phenolics.
Main Methods:
- Administration of CAPE, curcumin, quercetin, and rutin to Min/+ mice at specific dietary levels.
- Quantification of intestinal tumor formation in treated and control Min/+ mice.
- Analysis of intestinal tissue for enterocyte apoptosis, proliferation, and beta-catenin expression.
Main Results:
- CAPE (0.15% diet) reduced tumor formation by 63%; curcumin showed similar inhibition.
- Quercetin and rutin (2% diet) did not significantly alter tumor formation.
- Tumor prevention by CAPE and curcumin correlated with increased enterocyte apoptosis and proliferation.
- CAPE and curcumin decreased oncoprotein beta-catenin expression in enterocytes.
Conclusions:
- CAPE and curcumin are effective in suppressing Apc-associated intestinal carcinogenesis in mice.
- These plant phenolics demonstrate potential as chemopreventive agents against colon cancer.
- The antitumor effects are linked to modulation of apoptosis, proliferation, and beta-catenin signaling.
