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Ethanolic Extract of Red Okra Pods Induces Aberrant Spindle Segregation and Apoptotic Cell Death by Disrupting the

Firli Rahmah Primula Dewi1, Sri Puji Astuti Wahyuningsih1, Vuanghao Lim2

  • 1Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia.

Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences
|January 22, 2025
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Red okra extract (EEROP) induces apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells by inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. This natural compound reduces β-catenin, causing abnormal cell division and programmed cell death.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Natural Products Research

Background:

  • Colorectal cancer (CRC) frequently involves mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene, disrupting the Wingless-related integration site (Wnt)/β-catenin signaling pathway.
  • This pathway disruption is a key driver of carcinogenesis and can lead to mitotic catastrophe.
  • Aberrant Wnt/β-catenin signaling is implicated in approximately 80% of colorectal cancer cases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the efficacy of ethanolic extract of red okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) pods (EEROP) in inducing apoptosis in SW480 colorectal cancer cells.
  • To determine if EEROP inhibits the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in these cells.

Main Methods:

  • Determined the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of EEROP in SW480 cells.
  • Analyzed apoptosis and Wnt/β-catenin pathway activity using immunofluorescence staining and Western Blotting on cells treated with 250 µg/mL EEROP for 72 hours.

Main Results:

  • EEROP treatment significantly increased apoptosis markers, including active caspase-3 and cleaved poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP)-1 (P<0.001).
  • EEROP notably decreased β-catenin protein levels.
  • Observed an increased incidence of abnormal spindle segregation during mitosis in EEROP-treated cells (P=0.04).

Conclusions:

  • EEROP effectively induces apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells.
  • The mechanism involves the reduction of β-catenin protein levels, leading to abnormal spindle segregation and subsequent cell death.
Keywords:
ApoptosisColorectal cancerWnt signaling pathwayAbelmoschus esculentus

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