Background & Objectives: Today, colorectal cancer is a common pathology among nations. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), as a chemotherapeutic agent, triggers autophagy induction in cancer cells. Prosopis farcta (PF) induces potential anticancer properties via inherent phytochemical contents. In the current in-vitro investigation, the synergistic autophagy effects of PF fruit extract and 5-FU in colorectal cancer cell line (SW742) were assessed.
Materials & Methods: PF fruits were collected, authenticated by a botanist, and processed to prepare a hydroalcoholic extract. SW742 cells were cultured and treated with IC50 concentrations of PF extract and 5-FU, both individually and in combination (as synergistic effects). Cell viability and cytotoxicity values were evaluated using standard assays. The interaction between PF and 5-FU was also investigated. Expression levels of Atg-7, Beclin-1, and LC3 were determined using the quantitative PCR (qPCR) technique.
Results: Treatment with PF extract reduced (p<0.05) the viability of SW742 cells. Co-treatment of 5-FU with PF demonstrated a synergistic cytotoxic effect against cancer cells. Gene expression analysis revealed that PF extract alone downregulated the expression of Atg-7, Beclin-1, and LC3, while 5-FU treatment upregulated the associated expression levels. Combined therapy of PF and 5-FU modulated these gene expressions in a distinct pattern, suggesting interaction in autophagy regulation.
Conclusion: PF fruit extract enhances the anticancer effect of 5-FU on colorectal cancer cells by modulating autophagy-related gene expression. These findings suggest that PF may be a potential natural adjuvant therapy in colorectal cancer treatment.