Research and Reviews : A Journal of Biotechnology Review Article

Harnessing Nature: Formulations for Colon Cancer Prevention and Treatment

  1. Shashank Kumar Singh Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, C. S. J. M. University, Kanpur
  2. Praveena Mishra Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, C. S. J. M. University, Kanpur
  3. Dr. Anuradha Kalani Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, C. S. J. M. University, Kanpur
  4. Shriya Srivastava Department of Microbiology, Integral University, Lucknow

Abstract

Colon cancer, a rapidly advancing disease worldwide, involves the carcinogenesis of the distal part of the intestine. This malignancy progresses through various developmental stages necessitating diverse treatment approaches. Traditional treatments include drug therapy and chemotherapy; however, emerging methods, such as the use of phytochemical compounds offer promising mechanisms for combating this disease. Phytochemical compounds derived from natural food sources, including flavonoids, tannins, resveratrol, and epigallocatechin-3-gallate, exhibit potent anti-cancer properties. They act by modulating epigenetic or epigenomic mechanisms, thereby exerting anti-cancer activities. This review aims to explore the different types of colon cancer, associated risk factors, and the potential of natural agents derived from plant sources. Various in vivo and in vitro models will be discussed to elucidate the efficacy of these natural compounds in colon cancer prevention and treatment. Furthermore, the review will delve into the specific mechanisms by which these phytochemical compounds target cancer cells and inhibit tumor growth. The synergistic effects of these compounds, along with their low toxicity profiles, make them promising candidates for both preventive and therapeutic interventions against colon cancer. Plant sources rich in these bioactive compounds, such as fruits (e.g., berries, citrus fruits), vegetables (e.g., broccoli, spinach), and herbs (e.g., turmeric, garlic), will be highlighted for their potential in combating colon cancer and improving overall health outcomes. Additionally, the challenges and future directions in utilizing phytochemicals for colon cancer management will be discussed, providing valuable insights for further research and clinical applications.

Keywords

References (64)

  1. Mármol I, Sánchez-de-Diego C, Pradilla Dieste A, Cerrada E, Rodriguez Yoldi M. Colorectal Carcinoma: A General Overview and Future Perspectives in Colorectal Cancer. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2017;18(1):197. doi:10.3390/ijms18010197
  2. Fearon ER, Vogelstein B. A genetic model for colorectal tumorigenesis. Cell. 1990;61(5):759-767. doi:10.1016/0092-8674(90)90186-i
  3. Lynch HT, de la Chapelle A. Hereditary Colorectal Cancer. New England Journal of Medicine. 2003;348(10):919-932. doi:10.1056/nejmra012242
  4. Stoffel EM, Kastrinos F. Familial Colorectal Cancer, Beyond Lynch Syndrome. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 2014;12(7):1059-1068. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2013.08.015
  5. Balchen V, Simon K. Colorectal cancer development and advances in screening. Clinical Interventions in Aging. 2016;Volume11:967-976. doi:10.2147/cia.s109285
  6. Xu R, Zhou B, Fung PC, Li X. Recent advances in the treatment of colon cancer. Histol Histopathol. 2006;21(8):867–872. doi:10.14670/HH-21.867. PMID: 16691539.
  7. Eaden JA, Abrams KR, Mayberry JF. The risk of colorectal cancer in ulcerative colitis: a meta-analysis. Gut. 2001;48:526–535. doi:10.1136/gut.48.4.52.
  8. CANAVAN C, ABRAMS KR, MAYBERRY J. Meta‐analysis: colorectal and small bowel cancer risk in patients with Crohn's disease. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 2006;23(8):1097-1104. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2036.2006.02854.x
  9. Johns LE, Houlston RS. A systematic review and meta-analysis of familial colorectal cancer risk. The American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2001;96(10):2992-3003. doi:10.1111/j.1572-0241.2001.04677.x
  10. Martinez-Useros J, Garcia-Foncillas J. Obesity and colorectal cancer: molecular features of adipose tissue. Journal of Translational Medicine. 2016;14(1). doi:10.1186/s12967-016-0772-5
  11. Robertson DJ. ABC of Colorectal Cancer. Gastroenterology. 2012;143(3):868-869. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2012.07.090
  12. Botteri E, Iodice S, Bagnardi V, Raimondi S, Lowenfels AB, Maisonneuve P. Smoking and Colorectal Cancer. JAMA. 2008;300(23):2765. doi:10.1001/jama.2008.839
  13. Torre LA, Bray F, Siegel RL, Ferlay J, Lortet‐Tieulent J, Jemal A. Global cancer statistics, 2012. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. 2015;65(2):87-108. doi:10.3322/caac.21262
  14. Subapriya Rajamanickam, Agarwal R. Natural products and colon cancer: current status and future prospects. Drug Development Research 2008 Nov 1 ;69(7):460–71.
  15. Wattenberg LW. Chemoprevention of Cancer. Preventive Medicine. 1996;25(1):44-45. doi:10.1006/pmed.1996.0015
  16. Kuno T, Tsukamoto T, Hara A, Tanaka T. Cancer chemoprevention through the induction of apoptosis by natural compounds. Journal of Biophysical Chemistry. 2012;03(02):156-173. doi:10.4236/jbpc.2012.32018
  17. Aiello P, Sharghi M, Mansourkhani SM, Ardekan AP, Jouybari L, Daraei N, et al. Medicinal Plants in the Prevention and Treatment of Colon Cancer. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity. 2019;2019:1-51. doi:10.1155/2019/2075614
  18. Vainio H, Weiderpass E. Fruit and Vegetables in Cancer Prevention. Nutrition and Cancer. 2006;54(1):111-142. doi:10.1207/s15327914nc5401_13
  19. Gordaliza M. Natural products as leads to anticancer drugs. Clinical and Translational Oncology. 2007;9(12):767-776. doi:10.1007/s12094-007-0138-9
  20. Macheix JJ, Fleuriet A. Fruit Phenolics. Boca Raton, FL, USA: CRC Press; 1990.
  21. Velioglu YS, Mazza G, Gao L, Oomah BD. Antioxidant Activity and Total Phenolics in Selected Fruits, Vegetables, and Grain Products. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 1998;46(10):4113-4117. doi:10.1021/jf9801973
  22. Wenzel U, Kuntz S, Brendel MD, Daniel H. Dietary flavone is a potent apoptosis inducer in human colon carcinoma cells. Cancer Res. 2000;60(14):3823–3831.
  23. Shahidi F, Ambigaipalan P. Phenolics and polyphenolics in foods, beverages and spices: Antioxidant activity and health effects – A review. Journal of Functional Foods. 2015;18:820-897. doi:10.1016/j.jff.2015.06.018
  24. Jiménez S, Gascón S, Luquin A, Laguna M, Ancin-Azpilicueta C, Rodríguez-Yoldi MJ. Rosa canina Extracts Have Antiproliferative and Antioxidant Effects on Caco-2 Human Colon Cancer. PLOS ONE. 2016;11(7):e0159136. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0159136
  25. Wong KE, Ngai SC, Chan KG, Lee LH, Goh BH, Chuah LH. Curcumin Nanoformulations for Colorectal Cancer: A Review. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2019;10. doi:10.3389/fphar.2019.00152
  26. Rajamanickam S, Agarwal R. Natural products and colon cancer: current status and future prospects. Drug Development Research. 2008;69(7):460-471. doi:10.1002/ddr.20276
  27. Shehzad A, Lee J, Huh TL, Lee YS. Curcumin Induces Apoptosis in Human Colorectal Carcinoma (HCT-15) Cells by Regulating Expression of Prp4 and p53. Molecules and Cells. 2013;35(6):526-532. doi:10.1007/s10059-013-0038-5
  28. Sandur SK, Pandey MK, Sung B, Ahn KS, Murakami A, Sethi G, et al. Curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin, tetrahydrocurcumin and turmerones differentially regulate anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative responses through a ROS-independent mechanism. Carcinogenesis. 2007;28(8):1765-1773. doi:10.1093/carcin/bgm123
  29. Einbond LS, Negrin A, Kulakowski DM, Wu HA, Antonetti V, Jalees F, et al. Traditional preparations of kava (Piper methysticum) inhibit the growth of human colon cancer cells in vitro. Phytomedicine. 2017;24:1-13. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2016.11.002
  30. Signorelli P, Fabiani C, Brizzolari A, Paroni R, Casas J, Fabriàs G, et al. Natural Grape Extracts Regulate Colon Cancer Cells Malignancy. Nutrition and Cancer. 2015;67(3):494-503. doi:10.1080/01635581.2015.1004591
  31. Cheah KY, Howarth GS, Bastian SEP. Grape Seed Extract Dose-Responsively Decreases Disease Severity in a Rat Model of Mucositis; Concomitantly Enhancing Chemotherapeutic Effectiveness in Colon Cancer Cells. PLoS ONE. 2014;9(1):e85184. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0085184
  32. DONG M, YANG G, LIU H, LIU X, LIN S, SUN D, et al. Aged black garlic extract inhibits HT29 colon cancer cell growth via the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Biomedical Reports. 2014;2(2):250-254. doi:10.3892/br.2014.226
  33. Oh YJ, Sung MK. Soybean Saponins Inhibit Cell Proliferation bySuppressing PKC Activation and Induce Differentiation ofHT-29 Human Colon Adenocarcinoma Cells. Nutrition and Cancer. 2001;39(1):132-138. doi:10.1207/s15327914nc391_18
  34. Im SA, Kim JW, Kim HS, Park CS, Shin E, Do SG, et al. Prevention of azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate-induced mouse colon carcinogenesis by processed Aloe vera gel. International Immunopharmacology. 2016;40:428-435. doi:10.1016/j.intimp.2016.09.022
  35. Dimas K, Tsimplouli C, Houchen C, Pantazis P, Sakellaridis N, George T, et al. An ethanol extract of Hawaiian turmeric: extensive in vitro anticancer activity against human colon cancer cells. Altern Ther Health Med. 2015;21(S_2):46–54.
  36. Setiawati A, Immanuel H, Utami MT. The inhibition of Typhonium flagelliforme Lodd. Blume leaf extract on COX-2 expression of WiDr colon cancer cells. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine. 2016;6(3):251-255. doi:10.1016/j.apjtb.2015.12.012
  37. Jara-Palacios MJ, Hernanz D, Cifuentes-Gomez T, Escudero-Gilete ML, Heredia FJ, Spencer JPE. Assessment of white grape pomace from winemaking as source of bioactive compounds, and its antiproliferative activity. Food Chemistry. 2015;183:78-82. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2015.03.022
  38. Reddivari L, Charepalli V, Radhakrishnan S, Vadde R, Elias RJ, Lambert JD, et al. Grape compounds suppress colon cancer stem cells in vitro and in a rodent model of colon carcinogenesis. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2016;16(1). doi:10.1186/s12906-016-1254-2
  39. Gosslau A, En Jao DL, Huang MT, Ho CT, Evans D, Rawson NE, et al. Effects of the black tea polyphenol theaflavin‐2 on apoptotic and inflammatory pathways in vitro and in vivo. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research. 2011;55(2):198-208. doi:10.1002/mnfr.201000165
  40. Park SY, Kim EJ, Choi HJ, Seon MR, Lim SS, Kang YH, et al. Anti-carcinogenic effects of non-polar components containing licochalcone A in roasted licorice root. Nutrition Research and Practice. 2014;8(3):257. doi:10.4162/nrp.2014.8.3.257
  41. Min S, Lim J, Kim H, Kim SJ, Kim Y. Sasa quelpaertensis Leaf Extract Inhibits Colon Cancer by Regulating Cancer Cell Stemness in Vitro and in Vivo. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2015;16(5):9976-9997. doi:10.3390/ijms16059976
  42. Olsson ME, Andersson CS, Oredsson S, Berglund RH, Gustavsson KE. Antioxidant Levels and Inhibition of Cancer Cell Proliferation in Vitro by Extracts from Organically and Conventionally Cultivated Strawberries. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2006;54(4):1248-1255. doi:10.1021/jf0524776
  43. Cichello SA, Yao Q, Dowell A, Leury B, He XQ. Proliferative and Inhibitory Activity of Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) Extract on Cancer Cell Lines; A-549, XWLC-05, HCT-116, CNE and Beas-2b. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention. 2015;16(11):4781-4786. doi:10.7314/apjcp.2015.16.11.4781
  44. Thind TS, Agrawal SK, Saxena AK, Arora S. Studies on cytotoxic, hydroxyl radical scavenging and topoisomerase inhibitory activities of extracts of Tabernaemontana divaricata (L.) R.Br. ex Roem. and Schult. Food and Chemical Toxicology. 2008;46(8):2922-2927. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2008.05.036
  45. Hashem FA, Motawea H, El‐Shabrawy AE, Shaker K, El‐Sherbini S. Myrosinase Hydrolysates of Brassica oleraceae L. Var. italica Reduce the Risk of Colon Cancer. Phytotherapy Research. 2011;26(5):743-747. doi:10.1002/ptr.3591
  46. Riccio G, Maisto M, Bottone S, Badolati N, Rossi G, Tenore G, et al. WNT Inhibitory Activity of Malus Pumila miller cv Annurca and Malus domestica cv Limoncella Apple Extracts on Human Colon-Rectal Cells Carrying Familial Adenomatous Polyposis Mutations. Nutrients. 2017;9(11):1262. doi:10.3390/nu9111262
  47. Chatthongpisut R, Schwartz SJ, Yongsawatdigul J. Antioxidant activities and antiproliferative activity of Thai purple rice cooked by various methods on human colon cancer cells. Food Chemistry. 2015;188:99-105. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2015.04.074
  48. Charepalli V, Reddivari L, Radhakrishnan S, Vadde R, Agarwal R, Vanamala JKP. Anthocyanin-containing purple-fleshed potatoes suppress colon tumorigenesis via elimination of colon cancer stem cells. The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry. 2015;26(12):1641-1649. doi:10.1016/j.jnutbio.2015.08.005
  49. Wang CY, Wu TC, Hsieh SL, Tsai YH, Yeh CW, Huang CY. Antioxidant activity and growth inhibition of human colon cancer cells by crude and purified fucoidan preparations extracted from Sargassum cristaefolium. Journal of Food and Drug Analysis. 2015;23(4):766-777. doi:10.1016/j.jfda.2015.07.002
  50. Goh D, Lee YH, Ong ES. Inhibitory Effects of a Chemically Standardized Extract from Scutellaria barbata in Human Colon Cancer Cell Lines, LoVo. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2005;53(21):8197-8204. doi:10.1021/jf051506+
  51. Lin W, Zheng L, Zhuang Q, Zhao J, Cao Z, Zeng J, et al. Spica prunellae promotes cancer cell apoptosis, inhibits cell proliferation and tumor angiogenesis in a mouse model of colorectal cancer via suppression of stat3 pathway. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2013;13(1). doi:10.1186/1472-6882-13-144
  52. Maness L, Goktepe I, Chen H, Ahmedna M, Sang S. Impact of Phytolacca americana Extracts on Gene Expression of Colon Cancer Cells. Phytotherapy Research. 2013;28(2):219-223. doi:10.1002/ptr.4979
  53. Derry MM, Raina K, Agarwal R, Agarwal C. Characterization of azoxymethane-induced colon tumor metastasis to lung in a mouse model relevant to human sporadic colorectal cancer and evaluation of grape seed extract efficacy. Experimental and Toxicologic Pathology. 2014;66(5-6):235-242. doi:10.1016/j.etp.2014.02.003
  54. Genovese S, Epifano F, Carlucci G, Marcotullio MC, Curini M, Locatelli M. Quantification of 4′-geranyloxyferulic acid, a new natural colon cancer chemopreventive agent, by HPLC-DAD in grapefruit skin extract. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. 2010;53(2):212-214. doi:10.1016/j.jpba.2010.01.041
  55. Tanaka S, Haruma K, Yoshihara M, Kajiyama G, Kira K, Amagase H, et al. Aged Garlic Extract Has Potential Suppressive Effect on Colorectal Adenomas in Humans. The Journal of Nutrition. 2006;136(3):821S-826S. doi:10.1093/jn/136.3.821s
  56. Campos-Vega R, Guevara-Gonzalez RG, Guevara-Olvera BL, Dave Oomah B, Loarca-Piña G. Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) polysaccharides modulate gene expression in human colon cancer cells (HT-29). Food Research International. 2010;43(4):1057-1064. doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2010.01.017
  57. Tseng CC, Shang HF, Wang, LF, et al. “Antitumor and immunostimulating effects of Anoectochilus formosanus Hayata,” Phytomedicine. 2006;13(5):366–370.
  58. Hsuan SW, Chyau CC, Hung HY, Chen JH, Chou FP. The induction of apoptosis and autophagy by Wasabia japonica extract in colon cancer. European Journal of Nutrition. 2015;55(2):491-503. doi:10.1007/s00394-015-0866-5
  59. Park KW, Kundu J, Chae IG, Bachar SC, Bae JW, Chun KS. Methanol Extract of Flacourtia indica Aerial Parts Induces Apoptosis via Generation of ROS and Activation of Caspases in Human Colon Cancer HCT116 Cells. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention. 2014;15(17):7291-7296. doi:10.7314/apjcp.2014.15.17.7291
  60. Massey AR, Reddivari L, Vanamala J. The Dermal Layer of Sweet Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) Stalk, a Byproduct of Biofuel Production and Source of Unique 3-Deoxyanthocyanidins, Has More Antiproliferative and Proapoptotic Activity than the Pith in p53 Variants of HCT116 and Colon Cancer Stem Cells. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2014;62(14):3150-3159. doi:10.1021/jf405415u
  61. Pan L, Will F, Frank N, Dietrich H, Bartsch H, Gerhauser C. Natural cloudy apple juice and polyphenol-enriched apple juice extract prevent intestinal adenoma formation in the APCMin/+model for colon cancer prevention. European Journal of Cancer Supplements. 2006;4(1):55-56. doi:10.1016/s1359-6349(06)80541-0
  62. Romano B, Borrelli F, Pagano E, Cascio MG, Pertwee RG, Izzo AA. Inhibition of colon carcinogenesis by a standardized Cannabis sativa extract with high content of cannabidiol. Phytomedicine. 2014;21(5):631-639. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2013.11.006
  63. Caimari A, Puiggròs F, Suárez M, Crescenti A, Laos S, Ruiz JA, et al. The intake of a hazelnut skin extract improves the plasma lipid profile and reduces the lithocholic/deoxycholic bile acid faecal ratio, a risk factor for colon cancer, in hamsters fed a high-fat diet. Food Chemistry. 2015;167:138-144. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.06.072
  64. Dahham SS, Hassan LEA, Ahamed MBK, Majid ASA, Majid AMSA, Zulkepli NN. In vivo toxicity and antitumor activity of essential oils extract from agarwood (Aquilaria crassna). BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2016;16(1). doi:10.1186/s12906-016-1210-1
Support