Novel insights into the biomolecular mechanism of action of 4'-geranyloxyferulic acid, a colon cancer chemopreventive agent

In this manuscript the biomolecular mechanism of action of the natural colon cancer chemopreventive agent 4'- geranyloxyferulic acid in cultured Caco-2 cells has been investigated. It was first demonstrated how the appli-cation of this phytochemical led to a time-and dose-dependent decrease of cell viability and in parallel to a massive generation of reactive oxygen species and induction of caspases 3 and 9, finally providing apoptosis. This event is accompanied by deep modifications in key pro-apoptotic targets like CD95, DR4 and 5, cytochrome c, Apaf-1, Bcl-2, and Bax. Such effects can explain the large apoptosis recorded in Caco-2 cells treated with 4'- geranyloxyferulic acid.

Automated summary

This manuscript investigates the biomolecular mechanism of action of 4'-geranyloxyferulic acid, a natural colon cancer chemopreventive agent, in cultured Caco-2 cells. The application of this phytochemical leads to a time- and dose-dependent decrease in cell viability, accompanied by the generation of reactive oxygen species and induction of caspases 3 and 9, ultimately causing apoptosis. Key pro-apoptotic targets, including CD95, DR4 and 5, cytochrome c, Apaf-1, Bcl-2, and Bax, undergo significant modifications, explaining the observed apoptosis in Caco-2 cells treated with 4'- geranyloxyferulic acid.