Investigation of the Effects of Apigenin, a Possible Therapeutic Agent, on Cytotoxic and SWH Pathway in Colorectal Cancer (HT29) Cells

Purpose: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common and fatal malignancies in humans, still leading to serious morbidity and mortality. We here aimed to investigate the effects of flavonoid apigenin, which is considered to have anti-tumoral activity on CRC with high epidemiological prevalence, on cell proliferation and cell survivals, and the positive and negative dose-dependent effects of genetic or mutational alterations in SWH pathway components on HT29 CRC cell lines.

Methods: Human colon cancer cell lines HT-29 were commercially available. In each flask, 5 groups were formed, each of which consists of 5,000 cells for different dose groups and the cells were plated. After a 24 and 48 h incubation period, cytotoxicity values were measured by MTT assay and gene expression was assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis method.

Results: Application of 12.5 and 25 nM of apigenin significantly increased cell death in HT29 cell lines. LATS1, STK3 and TP53 gene expression decreased in the same dose groups compared to control and other groups.

Conclusion: It has been concluded that TP53 gene is strongly correlated with LATS1 and STK3 genes among the SWH pathway factors in the progression of CRC and could be used as an important marker for early detection of malignant transmission. In addition, it may be effective in CRC cases especially when 25 nM of apigenin applies for therapeutic purpose.