Ethanolic Extract of Red Okra Pods Induces Aberrant Spindle Segregation and Apoptotic Cell Death by Disrupting the Wnt Signaling Pathway in Colon Cancer Cells

Q: What is the main aim of this study?

To evaluate the effectiveness of ethanolic extract of red okra pods in inducing apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells by inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Q: How was apoptosis and pathway modulation assessed?

EEROP dose effects were tested to determine IC50, and apoptosis plus signaling changes were analyzed using immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting after treatment for 72 hours.

Q: What key results were observed after EEROP treatment?

EEROP increased active caspase-3 and cleaved PARP-1, decreased β-catenin protein levels, and increased cells showing abnormal spindle segregation during mitosis.

Q: What conclusion does the study draw?

EEROP reduces β-catenin levels, promotes abnormal spindle apparatus segregation, and leads to apoptotic cell death in colorectal cancer cells.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Aurelia

The study investigates how ethanolic extract of red okra pods (EEROP) affects colorectal cancer cells by targeting the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Background links APC mutations in ~80% of colorectal cancer cases to Wnt signaling disruption, which can trigger aberrant spindle segregation and mitotic catastrophe. Using dose testing and 72-hour treatment, apoptosis and signaling were assessed via immunofluorescence and Western blotting, focusing on caspase-3 activity and β-catenin protein reduction.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time23 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Introduction

Wnt signaling and CRC background

Canonical and non-canonical pathways

IJMS Vol 49, No 12, December 2024 Original Article Ethanolic Extract of Red Okra Pods Induces Aberrant Spindle Segregation and Apoptotic Cell Death by Disrupting the Wnt Signaling Pathway in Colon Cancer Cells Firli Rahmah Primula Dewi1, PhD; Sri Puji Astuti Wahyuningsih1, PhD; Vuanghao Lim2 , PhD; Lionel Lian Aun In3 , PhD; Alfiah Hayati1, PhD 1Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia; 2Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia; 3 Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Correspondence: Firli Rahmah Primula Dewi, PhD; Department of Biology, Unair Kampus C, Jl. Ir. Dr. Soekarno, Mulyorejo, Postal code: 60115, Surabaya, Indonesia Email: firl[i.rahmah@fst.unair.ac.id](i.rahmah@fst.unair.ac.id) [Received: 16 July 2023](Received: 16 July 2023) [Revised: 25 November 2023](Revised: 25 November 2023) [Accepted: 26 December 2023](Accepted: 26 December 2023) |
What’s Known
• β-catenin localizes to centrosomes during mitosis and plays a pivotal role in orchestrating the precise execution of spindle-mediated chromosome segregation.

What’s New | | --- | | • The present study highlights the capacity of ethanolic extract of red okra pods to induce apoptosis in SW480 cells by modulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
• Treatment with the mentioned extract reduces β-catenin levels, promotes abnormal spindle apparatus segregation, and ultimately leads to colorectal cancer cell apoptosis. | Abstract Background: In approximately 80% of colorectal cancer cases, mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene disrupt the Wingless-related integration site (Wnt)/β-catenin signaling pathway, a crucial factor in carcinogenesis. This disruption may result in consequences such as aberrant spindle segregation and mitotic catastrophe. This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of the ethanolic extract of red okra (Abelmoschusesculentus) pods (EEROP) in inducing apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells (SW480) by inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Methods: The IC50 of EEROP in SW480 cells was determined by treating the cells with varying doses of EEROP, ranging from 0 to 1000 µg/mL. Apoptosis assay and signaling pathway analysis were performed through immunofluorescence staining and Western Blotting on SW480 cells treated with 250 µg/mL ofEEROP for 72 hours. Results: EEROP treatment induced apoptosis in SW480 cells, marked by elevated levels of active caspase-3 (P<0.001) and cleaved poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP)-1. Moreover, it notably decreased β-catenin protein levels, resulting in an augmented occurrence of cells displaying abnormal spindle segregation during mitosis (P=0.04). Conclusion: EEROP treatment reduces β-catenin protein levels, promotes abnormal spindle apparatus segregation, and finally leads to apoptotic cell death in CRC cells. Please cite this article as: Dewi FRP, Wahyuningsih SPA, Lim V, In LLA, Hayati A. Ethanolic Extract of Red Okra Pods Induces Aberrant Spindle Segregation and Apoptotic Cell Death by Disrupting the Wnt Signaling Pathway in Colon Cancer Cells. Iran J Med Sci. 2024;49(12):785-793 . doi: 10.30476/IJMS.2024.99450.3149. Keywords ● Abelmoschus esculentus ● Apoptosis ● Colorectal cancer ● Wnt signaling pathway Introduction The molecular signaling pathway of the Wingless-related integration site (Wnt) is responsible for regulating not only embryonic development but also the normal physiological processes of adults, such as cell proliferation, differentiation, and homeostasis.1, 2 There are two types of Wnt signal transduction pathways: canonical and non-canonical. The canonical pathway, also known as the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, is responsible for modulating cell proliferation and survival, Copyright: ©Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences. This is an open-access article dis

FAQs

What is the main aim of this study?

To evaluate the effectiveness of ethanolic extract of red okra pods in inducing apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells by inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

How was apoptosis and pathway modulation assessed?

EEROP dose effects were tested to determine IC50, and apoptosis plus signaling changes were analyzed using immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting after treatment for 72 hours.

What key results were observed after EEROP treatment?

EEROP increased active caspase-3 and cleaved PARP-1, decreased β-catenin protein levels, and increased cells showing abnormal spindle segregation during mitosis.

What conclusion does the study draw?

EEROP reduces β-catenin levels, promotes abnormal spindle apparatus segregation, and leads to apoptotic cell death in colorectal cancer cells.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Aurelia