Ripe and Unripe Fig Extracts Modulate Cytotoxicity, Invasion, and Apoptosis in Colorectal Cancer Cells

Authors : Zeynep Doğru, Mehmet Akbulut, Hüsamettin Vatansev, Serdar Karakurt

Pages : 1020-1030

Doi:10.35229/jaes.1781543

View : 70 | Download : 155

Publication Date : 2025-11-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains one of the deadliest malignancies, underscoring the need for novel therapeutic strategies. Ficus carica L. (fig) has recognized medicinal properties, yet its effects on CRC cells are insufficiently studied. This research examined the cytotoxic, anti-invasive, and apoptotic activities of ripe and unripe fig extracts. Methanol and water extracts were analyzed for total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity. Cytotoxicity against HT-29 and DLD-1 CRC cells was assessed with the Alamar Blue assay, using PNT1A prostate epithelial cells as non-malignant controls. Cell invasion was tested in Matrigel-coated transwell chambers, apoptosis by flow cytometry, and molecular changes by qRT-PCR and Western blot targeting Bax, Bcl-2, and NF-κB. The unripe-methanol extract showed the highest phenolic content and antioxidant activity but limited cytotoxicity. Conversely, the ripe-water extract suppressed CRC cell proliferation while sparing normal cells. It inhibited invasion in DLD-1 but increased it in HT-29. Apoptosis was not markedly induced in HT-29, though DLD-1 cells showed moderate increases. Gene and protein expression suggested extract-dependent modulation of apoptotic and inflammatory markers, with some discrepancies between mRNA and protein levels. Overall, these findings highlight the therapeutic promise of fig extracts and the influence of ripening stage and solvent choice.
Keywords : Ficus carica, kolorektal kanser, apoptoz, invazyon, antioksidan aktivite

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