Anticancer Effects of Sacha Inchi (Plukenetia volubilis) Shell Extract on Colon Cancer Cells: Integrated GC-MS,...

Area of Science:

• Natural Products Chemistry
• Cancer Biology
• Molecular Oncology

Background:

• Colorectal cancer incidence is rising with an aging population.
• Chemotherapy is the primary treatment but has significant side effects.
• Herbal remedies have a long history in traditional medicine for various diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the chemical composition of Plukenetia volubilis (sacha inchi) shell extracts.
• To evaluate the effects of these extracts on colon cancer cell progression in vitro.
• To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the observed anti-cancer effects.

Main Methods:

• Phytochemical analysis to determine total phenolic and flavonoid content, and identify major compounds.
• In vitro cytotoxicity assays on normal and colon cancer cells.
• Cell migration, invasion, and colony formation assays.
• Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses to investigate molecular pathways.

Main Results:

• Sacha inchi shell extracts contain significant amounts of phenolic and flavonoid compounds, with lidocaine and linolenic acid as major constituents.
• The extracts demonstrated cytotoxicity against colon cancer cells while sparing normal cells.
• Significant inhibition of colon cancer cell migration, invasion, and colony formation was observed.
• Potential modulation of the Hippo pathway and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was indicated.

Conclusions:

• Plukenetia volubilis shell extracts possess anti-cancer properties against colon cancer cells.
• These extracts effectively inhibit key aspects of cancer cell progression, including migration and invasion.
• Sacha inchi shell extracts hold potential for development as a dietary supplement or therapeutic agent for colorectal cancer.