Research reveals ferulic acid’s potential in stopping colon most cancers

Colon most cancers continues to be one of many main causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with poor dietary habits recognized as a significant danger issue. Ferulic acid, a phenolic compound considerable in lots of plant meals, has beforehand demonstrated potential anti-cancer properties by inhibiting cell proliferation and selling apoptosis. Regardless of its promising results, the influence of ferulic acid on colon most cancers cells at completely different Duke’s progressive levels of the illness has remained largely unexplored. Given the crucial want for brand spanking new preventative measures, understanding the mechanisms by which ferulic acid acts on most cancers cells is important.

Revealed (DOI: 10.26599/FMH.2025.9420063) on November 26, 2024, in Meals & Medication Homology, the research carried out by researchers from Wuhan Polytechnic College and Kansas State College explored the consequences of ferulic acid on colon most cancers cells throughout completely different levels of Duke’s classification. Utilizing three human colon most cancers cell lines-SW-480, Caco-2, and HCT-116-the group examined the compound’s capacity to inhibit cell proliferation, migration, and induce apoptosis, in addition to the presumably related signaling pathways.

The researchers discovered that ferulic acid considerably lowered cell viability in all three cell traces in a dose-dependent method, with the HCT-116 cells displaying the best sensitivity. Colony formation assays confirmed that ferulic acid successfully suppressed cell progress, reinforcing its anti-proliferative properties. In migration assays, together with wound therapeutic and transwell assessments, ferulic acid considerably lowered cell motion, suggesting its potential to restrict metastatic unfold. Mechanistically, the compound induced cell cycle arrest: in SW-480 and Caco-2 cells, it halted development on the S section by the ATR/Chk1 pathway, whereas in HCT-116 cells, it brought about arrest on the G1 section through the ATM/Chk2 pathway. This was accompanied by downregulation of key cell cycle proteins akin to CDK2, Cyclin A2, CDK4/6, and Cyclin D1/E1 complexes. Moreover, ferulic acid upregulated tumor suppressor proteins p53 and p21, that are pivotal in initiating apoptosis.

Dr. Xi Chen, one of many authors of the research, emphasised the importance of those findings, stating, “Our analysis supplies a deeper understanding of how ferulic acid goal colon most cancers cells at varied progressive levels labeled by Duke’s system. This information is essential for creating efficient dietary methods aimed toward stopping colon most cancers.”

The outcomes of this research recommend that incorporating ferulic acid-rich meals into the weight loss program may function a promising technique for colon most cancers prevention. This strategy aligns with the idea of meals and medication homology, emphasizing the position of pure compounds in combating most cancers. Shifting ahead, scientific trials might be essential to validate these findings and additional discover the therapeutic potential of ferulic acid in colon most cancers therapy.

This research is financially supported by Particular Venture of Central Authorities for Native Science and Expertise Improvement of Hubei Province (No. 2022BGE247), Key Laboratory of Bulk Grain and Oil Deep Processing Ministry of Training (Wuhan Polytechnic College) (No. DZLY2023009), and the Program for Technical Innovation of Hubei Province (No. 2024BBB032).