Exploring the anticancer properties of the gum of Ferula gummosa: impact on cytotoxicity, caspase 3/7 activity and apoptosis, and gene expression in SW-480 cells

ABSTRACT

Ferula gummosa Boiss. is a well-known Iranian endemic plant that grows in the north and northeast regions of Iran. In Iranian traditional medicine, its gum is utilized to treat inflammation, pain, and infections of the gastrointestinal system. However, no studies have been conducted to investigate the anticancer potential of its gum against colorectal cancer cells. This study aimed to identify the chemical components of the gum of F. gummosa and investigate its effects on SW-480 cells. The experiments included MTT, clonogenic, micronucleus formation, acridine orange/ethidium bromide stain, DNA degradation, caspase 3/7 activity assay, and in vitro wound-healing experiment and investigating the expression of BAX, BCL2, MTOR, and PTEN genes. Chemical analysis using GC/MS identified 102 compounds. The gum had a significant cytotoxic effect on SW-480 cells, with an IC₅₀ value of 1.8 µg/ml for 48 hours. The gum induced apoptosis. Microscopic observations revealed a decrease in cell proliferation, as evidenced by nuclear condensation, increased micronucleus formation, and inhibition of colony formation. Additionally, the gum suppressed cell migration, induced the expression of PTEN and BAX, and down-regulated MTOR and BCL2 genes. These findings suggest that Ferula gummosa has strong cytotoxic properties and warrants further investigation.

KEYWORDS:

• Ferula gummosa
• cytotoxicity
• apoptosis
• migration
• cell survival
• SW-480 cells

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the University of Mazandaran’s Research Department for its financial support. Also, we deeply thank Mr. Parsa Pahlavan for editing the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Glossary

AO/EB: Acridine orange/Ethidium bromideBAX: BCL2 associated XBCL2: B-cell lymphoma 2DMSO: Dimethyl sulfoxideDTT: DithiothreitolEDTA: Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acidFBS: Fetal bovine serumFID: Flame ionization detectorIC₅₀: Half maximal inhibitory concentrationMTT: 2,5-diphenyl-2 H-tetrazolium bromideMTOR: Mechanistic target of rapamycinPBS: Phosphate-buffered salinePTEN: Phosphatase and tensin homologSDS: Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.