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Cryptolepine Suppresses Colorectal Cancer Cell Proliferation, Stemness, and Metastatic Processes by Inhibiting
Jude Tetteh Quarshie1, Kwadwo Fosu1, Nicholas Awuku Offei1
1West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), Department of Biochemistry Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Ghana, Accra P.O. Box LG 54, Ghana.
Abstract:
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most frequent cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. Evidence shows that over 90% of CRC cases are initiated by a deregulated Wingless Integrated Type-1 (WNT)/β-catenin signaling pathway. The WNT/β-catenin pathway also promotes CRC cell proliferation, stemness, and metastasis. Therefore, modulators of the WNT/β-catenin pathway may serve as promising regimens for CRC. This study investigated the effect of cryptolepine-a plant-derived compound-on the WNT/β-catenin pathway in CRC. Two CRC cell lines, COLO205 and DLD1, were treated with cryptolepine or XAV 939 (a WNT inhibitor) in the presence or absence of WNT3a (a WNT activator). Using a tetrazolium-based assay, cryptolepine was found to reduce cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner and was a more potent inhibitor of viability than XAV 939. RT-qPCR analyses showed that cryptolepine reverses WNT3a-induced expression of β-catenin, c-MYC, and WISP1, suggesting that cryptolepine inhibits WNT3a-mediated activation of WNT/β-catenin signaling. Cryptolepine also repressed WNT3a-induced OCT4 and CD133 expression and suppressed colony formation of the cells, indicating that cryptolepine inhibits the stemness of CRC cells. Additionally, cryptolepine inhibited WNT3a-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition by reducing the expression of SNAI1 and TWIST1 genes. In a wound healing assay, cryptolepine was found to suppress cell migration under unstimulated and WNT3a-stimulated conditions. Moreover, cryptolepine downregulated WNT3a-induced expression of MMP2 and MMP9 genes, which are involved in cancer cell invasion. Altogether, cryptolepine suppresses CRC cell proliferation, stemness, and metastatic properties by inhibiting WNT3a-mediated activation of the WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway. These findings provide a rationale for considering cryptolepine as a potential WNT inhibitor in CRC.
Insights
Cryptolepine, a plant compound, effectively inhibits colorectal cancer (CRC) cell proliferation, stemness, and metastasis by targeting the WNT/β-catenin pathway. It shows greater potency than the WNT inhibitor XAV 939, suggesting its potential as a CRC therapeutic.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer death globally.
- Over 90% of CRC cases involve a deregulated Wingless Integrated Type-1 (WNT)/β-catenin signaling pathway.
- This pathway drives CRC cell proliferation, stemness, and metastasis, making it a therapeutic target.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of cryptolepine, a plant-derived compound, on the WNT/β-catenin pathway in colorectal cancer (CRC).
- To evaluate cryptolepine's potential as a WNT pathway inhibitor for CRC treatment.
Main Methods:
- Treated COLO205 and DLD1 CRC cell lines with cryptolepine or XAV 939, with or without WNT3a activation.
- Assessed cell viability using a tetrazolium-based assay.
- Analyzed gene expression (β-catenin, c-MYC, WISP1, OCT4, CD133, SNAI1, TWIST1, MMP2, MMP9) via RT-qPCR.
- Evaluated stemness (colony formation) and migration (wound healing assay).
Main Results:
- Cryptolepine significantly reduced CRC cell viability, outperforming XAV 939.
- Cryptolepine reversed WNT3a-induced expression of key WNT/β-catenin pathway genes (β-catenin, c-MYC, WISP1).
- Cryptolepine suppressed CRC stemness (OCT4, CD133, colony formation) and metastasis (SNAI1, TWIST1, MMP2, MMP9, cell migration).
Conclusions:
- Cryptolepine inhibits WNT3a-mediated activation of the WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway in CRC cells.
- Cryptolepine effectively suppresses CRC cell proliferation, stemness, and metastatic properties.
- Cryptolepine demonstrates potential as a novel therapeutic agent for colorectal cancer.
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