Cytotoxic Effect of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) Seed Extracts on the Wnt Signaling Pathway in the K562 Cell Line

Year 2025, Volume: 15 Issue: 2, 169 - 174, 29.08.2025

Can Vuruşkan , Burcu Çerçi Alkaç , Tuba Oz , Melek Pehlivan , Mustafa Soyöz

https://doi.org/10.26650/experimed.1591042

Abstract

Objective: Researchers have established that the fenugreek plant exhibits anti-proliferative effects against various types of cancer, highlighting its potential as a valuable source for the development of new anticancer drugs. This study attempted to assess the anti-cancer effects of fenugreek on the K562 chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cells due to the Wnt signaling pathway.

Materials and Methods: The cytotoxic effect of Fenugreek was performed by 2,3-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5 sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide (XTT) assay. We used reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to determine gene expression, and western blot was used to detect β-catenin, c-Jun N terminal kinase (JNK), calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CamK), and protein kinase C (PKC) proteins.

Results: The IC₅₀ value of fenugreek extract was 717 g/mL after 24 h, and an in vitro cytotoxic effect was observed on K562 cell lines. JNK, PKC, CamK, and β-catenin protein levels were reduced in fenugreek extract-treated cells by 81%, 20%, 7%, and 26%, respectively.

Conclusion: According to our findings, fenugreek can affect both canonical and non-canonical pathways in K562 cells, particularly via the JNK protein in the planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway. These data corroborates our hypothesis that fenugreek extract possesses adjuvant compounds beneficial for CML treatment.

Keywords

Fenugreek , Chronic myeloid leukemia , Wnt signaling , Plant extract

Project Number

1919B012004879

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