Regulatory activities of Warbugia ugandensis ethanolic extracts on colorectal cancer-specific genome expression dose-dependently

• Published in: Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy 2023-10, Vol.166, p.115325-115325, Article 115325
• Main Authors: Macharia, John M., Mwangi, Ruth W., Szabó, István, Zand, Afshin, Kaposztas, Zsolt, Varjas, Tímea, Rozmann, Nóra, Raposa, Bence L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Angiogenesis; in vitro; Phytotherapeutic inhibitors; Regulatory pathways; Warbugia ugandensis
• ISSN: 0753-3322; 1950-6007
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115325

The evaluation of natural biomass sources is a promising strategy in accelerating the development of novel anti-cancer medications. Our study aimed to evaluate the activity of W. ugandensis ethanolic roots and stems extracts on the expression of five targeted genes (COX-2, CASPS-9, Bcl-xL, Bcl2 and 5-LOX) in colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines (Caco-2). Plant extracts were obtained using serial exhaustive extraction and dissolved in Dimethyl sulfoxide appropriately for bioassay. Caco-2 cell lines were passaged, treated with plant extracts at varying concentrations and their RNA’s isolated for evaluation. Our unique study reports on W. ugandensis as efficient natural inhibitors of CRC growth, by directly linking its phytoconstituents to; downregulation of COX-2, 5-LOX, Bcl-xL, Bcl2 and upregulation of CASPS9 genes dose-dependently. We present W. ugandensis ethanolic roots and stems extracts as promising natural inhibitors for CRC carcinogenesis and recommend in vivo and subsequent clinical trials, with substantial clinical effects postulated. We further suggest studies on identification and characterization of the specific metabolites in W. ugandensis involved in the modulatory mechanisms, resulting to inhibition of CRC growth and possible metastases. •W. ugandensis extracts are effective natural inhibitors for CRC carcinogenesis.•Downregulation of COX-2, 5-LOX, Bcl-xL and Bcl2 inhibits CRC carcinogenesis.•Upregulation of CASPS9 inhibits CRC carcinogenesis.•Serial exhaustive extraction and advanced PCR techniques were broadly employed.•Evaluation of natural biomass sources is a promising drug development strategy.