Ferula assafoetida induced colon cancer cells differentiation through JNK/MAPK signalling pathway activation - ORIGINAL ARTICLE - Basic Study

Q: What is the main objective of this study on Ferula assafoetida?

To evaluate whether Ferula assafoetida can induce differentiation of colon cancer cells to function as normal cells.

Q: How were cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and cell cycle changes assessed?

Cytotoxic effects were measured in Caco cells, while cell cycle analysis and apoptosis were assessed using CytellTM cell system.

Q: What molecular pathway is evaluated in relation to differentiation and therapeutic potential?

The study evaluates activation and expression of the JNK/MAPK signalling pathway, including JNK and MAPK gene expression by quantitative real-time PCR.

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Aldword

Background addresses colon cancer as a major global health problem with rising mortality. The study aims to assess whether Ferula assafoetida can drive differentiation of colon cancer cells toward normal-like function. Cytotoxicity was measured in Caco cells, alongside cell cycle and apoptosis by CytellTM, antioxidant/oxidative stress indices (TA, GSH, MDA) and ALP activity. JNK/MAPK expression was quantified by real-time PCR. Results show increased viable cell numbers, enhanced apoptosis and DNA fragmentation, elevated TA and GSH with reduced MDA, and upregulated JNK/MAPK.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages16

Reading Time40 min

AccessFree to download

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| W | J | E | M | World Journal of
Experimental Medicine | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | Submit a Manuscript: [https://www.f6publishing.com](https://www.f6publishing.com) World J Exp Med 2025 December 20; 15(4): 110757 DOI: 10.5493/wjem.v15.i4.110757 ISSN 2220-315x (online) ORIGINAL ARTICLE Basic Study Ferula assafoetida induced colon cancer cells differentiation through JNK/MAPK signalling pathway activation Hani M Abdelsalam, Aya M Abdelghany, Wafaa A Ahmed, Abdelaziz Abbas Diab, Mona S Abdellateif Specialty type: Biochemistry and molecular biology Provenance and peer review: Invited article; Externally peer reviewed. Peer-review model: Single blind Peer-review report’s classification Scientific Quality: Grade B Novelty: Grade C Creativity or Innovation: Grade C Scientific Significance: Grade B P-Reviewer: Uddin MR, Senior Researcher, Senior Scientist, Bangladesh Received: June 16, 2025 Revised: July 12, 2025 Accepted: November 3, 2025 Published online: December 20, 2025 Processing time: 188 Days and 9.1 Hours Hani M Abdelsalam, Aya M Abdelghany, Abdelaziz Abbas Diab, Department of Zoology, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt Hani M Abdelsalam, Department of Science, Rustaq College of Education, University of Technology and Applied Sciences, Rustaq 329, Oman Wafaa A Ahmed, Department of Cancer Biology, Cairo University, Giza 11796, Egypt Mona S Abdellateif, Department of Cancer Biology, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo 11796, Al Qāhirah, Egypt Mona S Abdellateif, Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Galala University, Suez 15888, Egypt Corresponding author: Mona S Abdellateif, Department of Cancer Biology, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, 1 Fom Elkhaligue, Cairo 11796, Al Qāhirah, Egypt. [mona.sayed@nci.cu.edu.eg](mona.sayed@nci.cu.edu.eg) Abstract BACKGROUND Colon cancer is a major health problem with increasing mortality rates worldwide. AIM To evaluate the ability of Ferula assafoetida (F. assafoetida) to induce differentiation of colon cancer cells to function as normal cells. METHODS The cytotoxic effect of F. assafoetida was assessed against Caco cells using the (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphe nyltetrazoliumbromide thiazolyl assay. Cell cycle analysis and apoptosis were assessed using CytellTM cell system. The total antioxidant (TA), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity were also assessed. The c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) expressions were evaluated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS There was a significant increase in the cell number treated with F. assafoetida (53.85% ± 0.03%), and those treated with sodium butyrate (NaBT) (54.6% ± 0.10%) WJEM [https://www.wjgnet.com](https://www.wjgnet.com) 1 December 20, 2025 Volume 15 Issue 4 Abdelsalam HM et al. F. assafoetida inhibits CRC through JNK/MAPK activation in sub-G1 phase, compared to the untreated cells (0.78% ± 0.03%, P < 0.001) . Apoptosis was significantly increased in the Caco cells treated with F. assafoetida (49.1% ± 0.14%) compared to those treated with NaBT (27.3% ± 0.10%, P < 0.001), and untreated cells (11.1% ± 0.02%, P < 0.001) . DNA degradation was observed in Caco cells treated with F. assafoetida in a dose-dependent manner, where complete degradation occurred at the dose of IC50 (342.9 μg/mL) . F. assafoetida induced a significant increase in the TA concentration and GSH, while a significant decrease in the MDA levels (P < 0.001, for all) . Also, there was a significant increase in ALP activity in Caco cells (0.53 ± 0.26 U/mL) compared to the control cells (0.05 ± 0.02 U/mL, P = 0.045) . There was a significant upregulation of JNK and MAPK expression in Caco cells treated with F. assafoetida compared to the controls [2.59 ± 0.01 (P < 0.001), and 3.62 ± 0.01 (P < 0.001); respectively] .

FAQs

What is the main objective of this study on Ferula assafoetida?

To evaluate whether Ferula assafoetida can induce differentiation of colon cancer cells to function as normal cells.

How were cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and cell cycle changes assessed?

Cytotoxic effects were measured in Caco cells, while cell cycle analysis and apoptosis were assessed using CytellTM cell system.

What molecular pathway is evaluated in relation to differentiation and therapeutic potential?

The study evaluates activation and expression of the JNK/MAPK signalling pathway, including JNK and MAPK gene expression by quantitative real-time PCR.

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Aldword