Gum Arabic Modulates Redox-Ionic Microenvironments via Rheology and Kinetics to Induce Selective Cytotoxicity in...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Cancer Biology
• Redox Biology

Background:

• Gum Arabic (GA) possesses known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Its precise function as a biopolymeric gel and its selective impact on cancer redox environments require further elucidation.
• The interplay between GA's physicochemical attributes and its biological activity in colorectal cancer is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the antineoplastic effects of Gum Arabic (GA) on colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines.
• To investigate GA's impact on oxidative stress markers and metal ion concentrations.
• To characterize GA's rheological and kinetic properties as a functional gel.

Main Methods:

• Cytotoxicity was evaluated using the MTS assay in HT-29, HCT-116 cancer cells, and MRC-5 fibroblasts.
• Quantitative PCR was used to analyze the expression of oxidative stress genes (GPX4, GSTA2, CAT, NFKB, SOD1).
• Extracellular metal ion levels and rheological properties were measured; in vitro kinetic release studies were performed.

Main Results:

• GA demonstrated dose-dependent cytotoxicity against colorectal cancer cells, with normal fibroblasts showing reduced sensitivity.
• Rheological analysis indicated optimal gel properties at 10% (w/w) GA, showing ion-dependent viscoelasticity and shear-thinning behavior.
• GA modulated gene expression (GPX4, GSTA2, NFKB) and increased extracellular Fe2+, Zn2+, and Mn2+ levels, indicating redox-ionic microenvironment alteration.

Conclusions:

• GA acts as an ion-responsive biopolymer with defined rheological and kinetic profiles.
• It selectively targets colorectal cancer cells via coordinated genetic and ionic regulation of oxidative stress.
• GA presents a promising functional gel platform for redox-modulated colorectal cancer therapeutics.