Anticancer effects of the Kiperin Purple Collagen complex: Evidence from HCT116 and MIA PaCa-2 cell models

Purple Collagen is a bioactive complex containing double-hydrolyzed collagens (types I, II, III, V and X) and various bioactive components (inulin, elderberry extract, magnesium citrate and malate, eggshell membrane, bromelain, black cumin extract and liposomal vitamin C). These bioactive compounds have attracted increasing scientific interest due to their ability to modulate key cancer-associated pathways, including the inhibition of cell proliferation and migration, suppression of oxidative stress via free radical scavenging and induction of apoptosis through mitochondrial and caspase-dependent mechanisms. While individual components of the Purple Collagen complex (PCC) have been associated with various health benefits, their combined effects on cancer cell behavior remain largely unexplored. The present study investigated the effects of PCC on cell proliferation, migration, oxidative stress and apoptosis in two cancer cell lines: HCT116 (colorectal carcinoma) and MIA PaCa-2 (pancreas carcinoma). The cell viability, migration, oxidative stress [total oxidant status (TOS)/total antioxidant status (TAS)] and apoptotic and cell cycle regulatory markers (BAX, BCL2, TP53 and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1) were analyzed following treatment with 1 µg/ml PCC. Experiments were performed in vitro, and statistical significance was assessed. Cell counts for viability and proliferation analyses were obtained with a Thoma hemocytometer after trypan blue staining. PCC treatment significantly reduced cell proliferation in HCT116 and MIA PaCa-2 cells (P=0.0141 and P=0.0004, respectively). Migration assays demonstrated significant reductions at intermediate time points in both cell lines, HCT116 (P=0.0091) and MIA PaCa-2 cells (P=0.01). TOS and TAS levels revealed a cell-type-specific response, with a marked TAS decrease in HCT116 (P=0.0095). PCC caused an apoptotic and cell cycle regulatory effect, affecting BCL2 and p21 expression levels significantly in both cell lines (P<0.05). PCC exhibits notable cell-type-specific effects, inhibiting proliferation and migration in colon and pancreas carcinoma cells while modulating oxidative stress and apoptosis. The findings highlight the potential of bioactive compounds as selective modulators of cancer cell behavior. Further in vivo studies are required to evaluate these effects and their clinical relevance.