Synergistic Interaction of Rutin and Silibinin on Human Colon Cancer Cell Line.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Rutin and Silibinin are active flavonoid compounds, well-known for possessing multiple biological activities. We have studied how Rutin and Silibinin in combination modulate wide range intracellular signaling cascades as evidenced by in-vitro research. Data obtained from preclinical studies provide evidence to be supportive to bridge basic and translational studies.

METHODS: In this study, cytotoxic effect of Rutin and Silibinin individually and in combination on the viability of colon cancer cell line (HT-29) was revealed using the MTT assay. Mechanism involved in the cytotoxic effect were then investigated in terms of apoptosis using comet assay, DNA fragmentation and fluorescent microscopy analyses. The apoptosis associated proteins viz; Caspase-3, 8, 9, Bax, Bcl-2, p53, inflammation associated proteins viz; NFκB, IKK-α IKK-β and MAPK pathway associated proteins viz; p38 and MK-2 were determined by western-blot and Real Time-PCR analysis.

RESULTS: Results suggest that Rutin and Silibinin produce anticancer effects via induction of apoptosis as well as regulating the expressions of genes related to apoptosis, inflammation and MAPK pathway proteins more effectively in combination than individually.

CONCLUSION: Our study supports the viability of developing Rutin and Silibinin in combination as a novel therapeutic prodrug for colon cancer treatment and may have a promising role in the development of new anticancer drugs in the future.