Luffa echinata Roxb. Induced Apoptosis in Human Colon Cancer Cell (SW-480) in the Caspase-dependent Manner and...

Area of Science:

• Phytochemistry
• Cancer Biology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Luffa echinata Roxb. (LER) is a plant with significant medicinal properties.
• Traditional uses of LER include treatment for various ailments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the antiproliferative effects of LER fruit extract on human colon cancer cells.
• To elucidate the mechanism of cell death induced by LER.

Main Methods:

• MTT and LDH assays were used to assess antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects.
• Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured using fluorometric assay.
• Western blot analysis was employed to evaluate apoptotic protein expression in SW-480 cells.

Main Results:

• LER extract demonstrated dose- and time-dependent inhibition of SW-480 colon cancer cell proliferation.
• LER induced characteristic features of apoptosis, including cell shrinkage and chromatin condensation.
• LER treatment led to increased lactate dehydrogenase release, ROS accumulation, and DNA fragmentation.
• Expression of pro-apoptotic proteins (caspases, Bax, Bad, p53) was upregulated, while anti-apoptotic proteins (Bcl-2, Bcl-XL) were downregulated.

Conclusions:

• LER induces colon cancer cell death via the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway.
• Upregulation of p53 protein plays a key role in LER-mediated apoptosis.
• LER exhibits potential as a therapeutic agent for human colon cancer.