Abstract
Colon cancer typically affects older adults, though it can happen at any age. Colon cancer, also known as Caco-2, is caused by multiple epigenetic alterations and involves unregulated proliferation, differentiation, and invasion of neighboring tissues. Colon cancer patients have had surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, and chemotherapy. This study investigates a new experimental method using inexpensive and environmentally friendly Egyptian plant extracts. DMSO-dissolved ginger, garlic, cinnamon, and chamomile were employed in this investigation. HPLC and GC-MS were used to analyze plant extracts. These extracts were tested for colon cancer efficacy using various methods. These methods included Caco-2 cells, MTT test, Annexin V-FITC flow cytometry, qRT-PCR, and ELISA. Garlic and ginger were found to be cytotoxic to Caco-2 cells. Compared to cinnamon and chamomile extracts, garlic and ginger have boosted LDH synthesis significantly. Garlic and ginger also altered autophagy genes (Bectin1, Atg5, PTEN) and Caspase-3 expression pathways on proapoptotic signaling. Garlic and ginger increased cleaved PTEN and caspase-3 and decreased Atg5 and Bectin1. Ginger and garlic caused extrinsic apoptosis and prevented Atg5 and Bectin1 phosphorylation. The average IL-8 and IL-6 levels increased significantly after 24 hours, according to ELISA. In conclusion, garlic and ginger extracts modify pro-inflammatory cytokines. Alternative herbal remedies like garlic and ginger may be effective and safe colon cancer treatments.