Anticancer Properties of Garlic and Ginger Extract in Colon Cancer Cell Line

Colon cancer typically affects older adults, though it can happen at any age. Colon cancer, also known as Caco-2, is caused by multiple epigenetic alterations and involves unregulated proliferation, differentiation, and invasion of neighboring tissues. Colon cancer patients have had surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, and chemotherapy. This study investigates a new experimental method using inexpensive and environmentally friendly Egyptian plant extracts. DMSO-dissolved ginger, garlic, cinnamon, and chamomile were employed in this investigation. HPLC and GC-MS were used to analyze plant extracts. These extracts were tested for colon cancer efficacy using various methods. These methods included Caco-2 cells, MTT test, Annexin V-FITC flow cytometry, qRT-PCR, and ELISA. Garlic and ginger were found to be cytotoxic to Caco-2 cells. Compared to cinnamon and chamomile extracts, garlic and ginger have boosted LDH synthesis significantly. Garlic and ginger also altered autophagy genes (Bectin1, Atg5, PTEN) and Caspase-3 expression pathways on proapoptotic signaling. Garlic and ginger increased cleaved PTEN and caspase-3 and decreased Atg5 and Bectin1. Ginger and garlic caused extrinsic apoptosis and prevented Atg5 and Bectin1 phosphorylation. The average IL-8 and IL-6 levels increased significantly after 24 hours, according to ELISA. In conclusion, garlic and ginger extracts modify pro-inflammatory cytokines. Alternative herbal remedies like garlic and ginger may be effective and safe colon cancer treatments.