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Olgun ve Ham İncir Ekstrelerinin Kolorektal Kanser Hücrelerinde Sitotoksisite, İnvazyon ve Apoptoz Üzerindeki Düzenleyici Etkileri

Year 2025, Volume: 10 Issue: 6, 1020 - 1030, 30.11.2025
https://doi.org/10.35229/jaes.1781543

Abstract

Kolorektal kanser (CRC), en ölümcül malignitelerden biri olmaya devam etmekte ve yeni terapötik stratejilere duyulan ihtiyacı ortaya koymaktadır. Ficus carica L. (incir) tıbbi özellikleriyle bilinse de CRC hücreleri üzerindeki etkileri yeterince araştırılmamıştır. Bu çalışmada olgun ve ham incir ekstrelerinin sitotoksik, anti-invaziv ve apoptotik aktiviteleri incelenmiştir. Metanol ve su ekstreleri toplam fenolik madde içeriği ve antioksidan kapasite açısından analiz edilmiştir. CRC hücreleri (HT-29 ve DLD-1) üzerindeki sitotoksisite Alamar Blue testi ile değerlendirilmiş, normal hücre kontrolü olarak PNT1A prostat epitel hücreleri kullanılmıştır. Hücre invazyonu Matrigel kaplı transwell odacıkları ile, apoptoz akış sitometrisi ile, moleküler değişiklikler ise Bax, Bcl-2 ve NF-κB’yi hedefleyen qRT-PCR ve Western blot yöntemleri ile incelenmiştir. Ham-metanol ekstresi en yüksek fenolik içerik ve antioksidan aktivite göstermesine rağmen sınırlı sitotoksisite sergilemiştir. Buna karşılık olgun-su ekstresi CRC hücrelerinde proliferasyonu baskılarken normal hücreleri korumuştur. Bu ekstre DLD-1 hücrelerinde invazyonu inhibe etmiş, ancak HT-29 hücrelerinde artırmıştır. Apoptoz HT-29 hücrelerinde belirgin şekilde indüklenmezken, DLD-1 hücrelerinde orta düzeyde artış göstermiştir. Gen ve protein düzeyinde elde edilen veriler, apoptotik ve inflamatuvar belirteçlerin ekstraktlara bağlı olarak modüle edildiğini, ancak mRNA ile protein düzeyleri arasında bazı tutarsızlıklar bulunduğunu ortaya koymuştur. Genel olarak bu bulgular, incir ekstrelerinin terapötik potansiyelini ve biyoaktiviteyi belirlemede olgunlaşma evresi ile çözücü seçiminin önemini vurgulamaktadır.

Ethical Statement

Bu çalışma, yalnızca hücre hatları kullanılarak yapılan in vitro deneylere dayanmaktadır; kurumsal etik standartlara uygun olarak gerçekleştirilmiş olup, önceden etik kurul onayı gerektirmemektedir.

Supporting Institution

Selçuk Üniversitesi

Project Number

16202041, 17401051

Thanks

Bu çalışma, 16202041 ve 17401051 numaralı projeler kapsamında Selçuk Üniversitesi Bilimsel Araştırma Fonu tarafından desteklenmiştir.

References

  • Abdel-Rahman, R., Ghoneimy, E., Abdel-Wahab, A., Eldeeb, N., Salem, M., Salama, E., & Ahmed, T. (2021). The therapeutic effects of Ficus carica extract as antioxidant and anticancer agent. South African Journal of Botany, 141, 273-277. DOI: 10.1016/j.sajb.2021.04.019
  • Aggarwal, B. B., Banerjee, S., Bharadwaj, U., Sung, B., Shishodia, S., & Sethi, G. (2007). Curcumin induces the degradation of cyclin E expression through ubiquitin-dependent pathway and up-regulates cyclin- dependent kinase inhibitors p21 and p27 in multiple human tumor cell lines. Biochemical Pharmacology, 73 (7), 1024-1032. DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2006.12.010
  • Brand-Williams, W., Cuvelier, M. E., & Berset, C. L. W. T. (1995). Use of a free radical method to evaluate antioxidant activity. LWT-Food science and Technology, 28(1), 25-30. DOI: 10.1016/S0023- 6438(95)80008-5
  • Chau, I., & Cunningham, D. (2006). Adjuvant therapy in colon cancer-what, when and how?. Annals of Oncology, 17(9), 1347-1359. DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdl029
  • Chen, C., Edelstein, L. C., & Gélinas, C. (2000). The Rel/NF- κB family directly activates expression of the apoptosis inhibitor Bcl-xL. Molecular and cellular biology, 20(8), 2687-2695. DOI: 10.1128/MCB.20.8.2687- 2695.2000
  • Chung, S.S., Wu, Y., Okobi, Q., Adekoya, D., Atefi, M., Clarke, O., ..., & Vadgama, J.V. (2017). Proinflammatory cytokines IL‐6 and TNF‐α increased telomerase activity through NF‐κB/STAT1/STAT3 activation, and withaferin a inhibited the signaling in colorectal cancer cells. Mediators of inflammation, 2017(1), 5958429. DOI: 10.1155/2017/5958429
  • Çalişkan, O., & Polat, A.A. (2011). Phytochemical and antioxidant properties of selected fig (Ficus carica L.) accessions from the eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey. Scientia Horticulturae, 128(4), 473-478. DOI: 10.1016/j.scienta.2011.02.023
  • Davis, P.H. (1965-1988). Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, (Vols. I-X).
  • Do, Q.D., Angkawijaya, A.E., Tran-Nguyen, P.L., Huynh, L.H., Soetaredjo, F.E., Ismadji, S., & Ju, Y.H. (2014). Effect of extraction solvent on total phenol content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity of Limnophila aromatica. Journal of food and drug analysis, 22(3), 296-302. DOI: 10.1016/j.jfda.2013.11.001
  • Ercisli, S., Tosun, M., Karlidag, H., Dzubur, A., Hadziabulic, S., & Aliman, Y. (2012). Color and antioxidant characteristics of some fresh fig (Ficus carica L.) genotypes from Northeastern Turkey. Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, 67(3), 271-276. DOI: 10.1007/s11130-012-0292-2
  • Fan, Y., Mao, R., & Yang, J. (2013). NF-κB and STAT3 signaling pathways collaboratively link inflammation to cancer. Protein & cell, 4(3), 176-185. DOI: 10.1007/s13238-013-2084-3
  • Gozuacik, D., & Kimchi, A. (2004). Autophagy as a cell death and tumor suppressor mechanism. Oncogene, 23(16), 2891-2906. DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1207521
  • Grivennikov, S. I., & Karin, M. (2010). Dangerous liaisons: STAT3 and NF-κB collaboration and crosstalk in cancer. Cytokine & growth factor reviews, 21(1), 11-19. DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2009.11.005
  • Hacımüftüoğlu, E., Shadidizaji, A., Cinisli, K.T., & Karakaya, S. (2025). From ancient wisdom to modern medicine: the cultural and therapeutic significance of Ficus carica L. (Moraceae) extracts in colorectal cancer treatment. Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry, 49(2), 405-414. DOI: 10.55730/1300-011X.3274
  • Hristova, N.R., Tagscherer, K.E., Fassl, A., Kopitz, J., & Roth, W. (2013). Notch1-dependent regulation of p27 determines cell fate in colorectal cancer. International journal of oncology, 43(6), 1967-1975. DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2013.2140
  • Kebal, L., Djebli, N., Pokajewicz, K., Mostefa, N., & Wieczorek, P.P. (2024). Antioxidant activity and effectiveness of fig extract in counteracting carbon tetrachloride-induced oxidative damage in rats. Molecules, 29(9), 1997. DOI: 10.3390/molecules29091997
  • Meng, R.D., Shelton, C.C., Li, Y.M., Qin, L.X., Notterman, D., Paty, P.B., & Schwartz, G.K. (2009). γ-Secretase inhibitors abrogate oxaliplatin-induced activation of the Notch-1 signaling pathway in colon cancer cells resulting in enhanced chemosensitivity. Cancer Research, 69(2), 573-582. DOI: 10.1158/0008- 5472.CAN-08-2088
  • Meziant, L., Benchikh, Y., & Louaileche, H. (2014). Deployment of response surface methodology to optimize recovery of dark fresh fig (Ficus carica L., var. Azenjar) total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity. Food Chemistry, 162, 277-282. DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.04.054
  • Ou, A., Zhao, X., & Lu, Z. (2022). Autophagy is involved in Ficus carica fruit extract-induced anti-tumor effects on pancreatic cancer. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 150, 112966. DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.112966
  • Prieto, P., Pineda, M., & Aguilar, M. (1999). Spectrophotometric quantitation of antioxidant capacity through the formation of a phosphomolybdenum complex: specific application to the determination of vitamin E. Analytical Biochemistry, 269(2), 337-341. DOI: 10.1006/abio.1999.4019
  • Purnamasari, R., Winarni, D., Permanasari, A.A., Agustina, E., Hayaza, S., & Darmanto, W. (2019). Anticancer activity of methanol extract of Ficus carica leaves and fruits against proliferation, apoptosis, and necrosis in Huh7it cells. Cancer Informatics, 18, 1176935119842576. DOI: 10.1177/1176935119842576
  • Slinkard, K., & Singleton, V.L. (1977). Total phenol analysis: automation and comparison with manual methods. American journal of enology and viticulture, 28(1), 49- 55. DOI: 10.5344/ajev.1977.28.1.49
  • Soltana, H., Pinon, A., Limami, Y., Zaid, Y., Khalki, L., Zaid, N., ..., & Hammami, M. (2019). Antitumoral activity of Ficus carica L. on colorectal cancer cell lines. Cellular and Molecular Biology, 65(6), 6-11. DOI: 10.14715/cmb/2019.65.6.2
  • Sung, H., Ferlay, J., Siegel, R. L., Laversanne, M., Soerjomataram, I., Jemal, A., & Bray, F. (2021). Global cancer statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 71(3), 209-249. DOI: 10.3322/caac.21660
  • Tikent, A., Laaraj, S., Bouddine, T., Chebaibi, M., Bouhrim, M., Elfazazi, K., Alqahtani, A.S., Noman, O. M., Hajji, L., Rhazi, L., Elamrani, A., & Addi, M. (2024). Antioxidant potential, antimicrobial activity, polyphenol profile analysis, and cytotoxicity against breast cancer cell lines of hydro-ethanolic extracts of leaves of Ficus carica L. from Eastern Morocco. Frontiers in Chemistry, 12, 1505473. DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2024.1505473
  • Veberic, R., Jakopic, J., & Stampar, F. (2008). Internal fruit quality of figs (Ficus carica L.) in the Northern Mediterranean Region. Italian Journal of Food Science, 20(2), 255-262.
  • Vinson, J.A., Zubik, L., Bose, P., Samman, N., & Proch, J. (2005). Dried fruits: excellent in vitro and in vivo antioxidants. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 24(1), 44-50. DOI: 10.1080/07315724.2005.10719442
  • Wu, W.K., Wang, X.J., Cheng, A.S., Luo, M.X., Ng, S.S., To, K.F., ..., & Yu, J. (2013). Dysregulation and crosstalk of cellular signaling pathways in colon carcinogenesis. Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology, 86(3), 251- 277. DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2012.11.009

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

Year 2025, Volume: 10 Issue: 6, 1020 - 1030, 30.11.2025
https://doi.org/10.35229/jaes.1781543

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.

Ethical Statement

This study was based solely on in vitro experiments using established cell lines, was performed in accordance with institutional ethical standards, and did not require prior ethical approval.

Supporting Institution

Selcuk University Research Foundation

Project Number

16202041, 17401051

Thanks

This study was funded by the Selcuk University Research Foundation under the grants numbered 16202041 and 17401051.

References

  • Abdel-Rahman, R., Ghoneimy, E., Abdel-Wahab, A., Eldeeb, N., Salem, M., Salama, E., & Ahmed, T. (2021). The therapeutic effects of Ficus carica extract as antioxidant and anticancer agent. South African Journal of Botany, 141, 273-277. DOI: 10.1016/j.sajb.2021.04.019
  • Aggarwal, B. B., Banerjee, S., Bharadwaj, U., Sung, B., Shishodia, S., & Sethi, G. (2007). Curcumin induces the degradation of cyclin E expression through ubiquitin-dependent pathway and up-regulates cyclin- dependent kinase inhibitors p21 and p27 in multiple human tumor cell lines. Biochemical Pharmacology, 73 (7), 1024-1032. DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2006.12.010
  • Brand-Williams, W., Cuvelier, M. E., & Berset, C. L. W. T. (1995). Use of a free radical method to evaluate antioxidant activity. LWT-Food science and Technology, 28(1), 25-30. DOI: 10.1016/S0023- 6438(95)80008-5
  • Chau, I., & Cunningham, D. (2006). Adjuvant therapy in colon cancer-what, when and how?. Annals of Oncology, 17(9), 1347-1359. DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdl029
  • Chen, C., Edelstein, L. C., & Gélinas, C. (2000). The Rel/NF- κB family directly activates expression of the apoptosis inhibitor Bcl-xL. Molecular and cellular biology, 20(8), 2687-2695. DOI: 10.1128/MCB.20.8.2687- 2695.2000
  • Chung, S.S., Wu, Y., Okobi, Q., Adekoya, D., Atefi, M., Clarke, O., ..., & Vadgama, J.V. (2017). Proinflammatory cytokines IL‐6 and TNF‐α increased telomerase activity through NF‐κB/STAT1/STAT3 activation, and withaferin a inhibited the signaling in colorectal cancer cells. Mediators of inflammation, 2017(1), 5958429. DOI: 10.1155/2017/5958429
  • Çalişkan, O., & Polat, A.A. (2011). Phytochemical and antioxidant properties of selected fig (Ficus carica L.) accessions from the eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey. Scientia Horticulturae, 128(4), 473-478. DOI: 10.1016/j.scienta.2011.02.023
  • Davis, P.H. (1965-1988). Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, (Vols. I-X).
  • Do, Q.D., Angkawijaya, A.E., Tran-Nguyen, P.L., Huynh, L.H., Soetaredjo, F.E., Ismadji, S., & Ju, Y.H. (2014). Effect of extraction solvent on total phenol content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity of Limnophila aromatica. Journal of food and drug analysis, 22(3), 296-302. DOI: 10.1016/j.jfda.2013.11.001
  • Ercisli, S., Tosun, M., Karlidag, H., Dzubur, A., Hadziabulic, S., & Aliman, Y. (2012). Color and antioxidant characteristics of some fresh fig (Ficus carica L.) genotypes from Northeastern Turkey. Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, 67(3), 271-276. DOI: 10.1007/s11130-012-0292-2
  • Fan, Y., Mao, R., & Yang, J. (2013). NF-κB and STAT3 signaling pathways collaboratively link inflammation to cancer. Protein & cell, 4(3), 176-185. DOI: 10.1007/s13238-013-2084-3
  • Gozuacik, D., & Kimchi, A. (2004). Autophagy as a cell death and tumor suppressor mechanism. Oncogene, 23(16), 2891-2906. DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1207521
  • Grivennikov, S. I., & Karin, M. (2010). Dangerous liaisons: STAT3 and NF-κB collaboration and crosstalk in cancer. Cytokine & growth factor reviews, 21(1), 11-19. DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2009.11.005
  • Hacımüftüoğlu, E., Shadidizaji, A., Cinisli, K.T., & Karakaya, S. (2025). From ancient wisdom to modern medicine: the cultural and therapeutic significance of Ficus carica L. (Moraceae) extracts in colorectal cancer treatment. Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry, 49(2), 405-414. DOI: 10.55730/1300-011X.3274
  • Hristova, N.R., Tagscherer, K.E., Fassl, A., Kopitz, J., & Roth, W. (2013). Notch1-dependent regulation of p27 determines cell fate in colorectal cancer. International journal of oncology, 43(6), 1967-1975. DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2013.2140
  • Kebal, L., Djebli, N., Pokajewicz, K., Mostefa, N., & Wieczorek, P.P. (2024). Antioxidant activity and effectiveness of fig extract in counteracting carbon tetrachloride-induced oxidative damage in rats. Molecules, 29(9), 1997. DOI: 10.3390/molecules29091997
  • Meng, R.D., Shelton, C.C., Li, Y.M., Qin, L.X., Notterman, D., Paty, P.B., & Schwartz, G.K. (2009). γ-Secretase inhibitors abrogate oxaliplatin-induced activation of the Notch-1 signaling pathway in colon cancer cells resulting in enhanced chemosensitivity. Cancer Research, 69(2), 573-582. DOI: 10.1158/0008- 5472.CAN-08-2088
  • Meziant, L., Benchikh, Y., & Louaileche, H. (2014). Deployment of response surface methodology to optimize recovery of dark fresh fig (Ficus carica L., var. Azenjar) total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity. Food Chemistry, 162, 277-282. DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.04.054
  • Ou, A., Zhao, X., & Lu, Z. (2022). Autophagy is involved in Ficus carica fruit extract-induced anti-tumor effects on pancreatic cancer. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 150, 112966. DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.112966
  • Prieto, P., Pineda, M., & Aguilar, M. (1999). Spectrophotometric quantitation of antioxidant capacity through the formation of a phosphomolybdenum complex: specific application to the determination of vitamin E. Analytical Biochemistry, 269(2), 337-341. DOI: 10.1006/abio.1999.4019
  • Purnamasari, R., Winarni, D., Permanasari, A.A., Agustina, E., Hayaza, S., & Darmanto, W. (2019). Anticancer activity of methanol extract of Ficus carica leaves and fruits against proliferation, apoptosis, and necrosis in Huh7it cells. Cancer Informatics, 18, 1176935119842576. DOI: 10.1177/1176935119842576
  • Slinkard, K., & Singleton, V.L. (1977). Total phenol analysis: automation and comparison with manual methods. American journal of enology and viticulture, 28(1), 49- 55. DOI: 10.5344/ajev.1977.28.1.49
  • Soltana, H., Pinon, A., Limami, Y., Zaid, Y., Khalki, L., Zaid, N., ..., & Hammami, M. (2019). Antitumoral activity of Ficus carica L. on colorectal cancer cell lines. Cellular and Molecular Biology, 65(6), 6-11. DOI: 10.14715/cmb/2019.65.6.2
  • Sung, H., Ferlay, J., Siegel, R. L., Laversanne, M., Soerjomataram, I., Jemal, A., & Bray, F. (2021). Global cancer statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 71(3), 209-249. DOI: 10.3322/caac.21660
  • Tikent, A., Laaraj, S., Bouddine, T., Chebaibi, M., Bouhrim, M., Elfazazi, K., Alqahtani, A.S., Noman, O. M., Hajji, L., Rhazi, L., Elamrani, A., & Addi, M. (2024). Antioxidant potential, antimicrobial activity, polyphenol profile analysis, and cytotoxicity against breast cancer cell lines of hydro-ethanolic extracts of leaves of Ficus carica L. from Eastern Morocco. Frontiers in Chemistry, 12, 1505473. DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2024.1505473
  • Veberic, R., Jakopic, J., & Stampar, F. (2008). Internal fruit quality of figs (Ficus carica L.) in the Northern Mediterranean Region. Italian Journal of Food Science, 20(2), 255-262.
  • Vinson, J.A., Zubik, L., Bose, P., Samman, N., & Proch, J. (2005). Dried fruits: excellent in vitro and in vivo antioxidants. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 24(1), 44-50. DOI: 10.1080/07315724.2005.10719442
  • Wu, W.K., Wang, X.J., Cheng, A.S., Luo, M.X., Ng, S.S., To, K.F., ..., & Yu, J. (2013). Dysregulation and crosstalk of cellular signaling pathways in colon carcinogenesis. Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology, 86(3), 251- 277. DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2012.11.009
There are 28 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Veterinary Biochemistry
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Zeynep Doğru 0000-0001-7115-3360

Mehmet Akbulut 0000-0001-5621-8293

Hüsamettin Vatansev 0000-0002-0230-3414

Serdar Karakurt 0000-0002-4449-6103

Project Number 16202041, 17401051
Submission Date September 11, 2025
Acceptance Date November 28, 2025
Early Pub Date November 30, 2025
Publication Date November 30, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 10 Issue: 6

Cite

APA Doğru, Z., Akbulut, M., Vatansev, H., Karakurt, S. (2025). Ripe and Unripe Fig Extracts Modulate Cytotoxicity, Invasion, and Apoptosis in Colorectal Cancer Cells. Journal of Anatolian Environmental and Animal Sciences, 10(6), 1020-1030. https://doi.org/10.35229/jaes.1781543


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