Areca catechu L. Extract Inhibits Colorectal Cancer Tumor Growth by Modulating Cell Apoptosis and Autophagy

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Pharmacology
• Traditional Chinese Medicine

Background:

• Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a prevalent global malignancy.
• Current chemotherapy for CRC often leads to severe side effects.
• There is a need for novel, effective CRC treatments with improved safety profiles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the anticancer effects of Areca catechu L. extract (ACE) on colorectal cancer.
• To evaluate ACE's impact on cancer cell viability, apoptosis, and tumor growth.
• To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying ACE's therapeutic potential.

Main Methods:

• Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay for cell viability.
• In vivo studies using NU-Foxn1nu mice for tumor growth assessment.
• Flow cytometry for apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) analysis.
• Next-generation sequencing (NGS) and Western blotting for molecular pathway analysis.

Main Results:

• ACE significantly inhibited the proliferation of CoLo320DM and HCT116 colorectal cancer cell lines.
• In vivo, ACE demonstrated significant tumor growth inhibition in mice.
• ACE treatment increased apoptosis and ROS levels in cancer cells.
• NGS revealed ACE modulates genes involved in apoptosis, DNA damage, autophagy, cell proliferation, and Wnt signaling.

Conclusions:

• Areca catechu L. extract (ACE) exhibits significant anticancer properties against colorectal cancer.
• ACE promotes cancer cell apoptosis and autophagy while reducing cell viability and tumor growth.
• ACE represents a promising candidate for developing novel colorectal cancer therapies with potentially minimal side effects.