Evaluation And Determination Of The Phytotherapeutic Properties Of Selected Plants And Their Bioactive Metabolites On Targeted Genes In Colorectal Cancer Management

Abstract

This extensive research aimed to evaluate and determine the phytotherapeutic properties of selected plants and their bioactive metabolites on targeted genes in colorectal cancer (CRC) management. The plants evaluated were Withania somnifera, Warbugia ugandensis, and Aloe secundiflora, while the targeted genes were COX-2, CASP9, Bcl-xL, Bcl2 and 5-LOX in CRC cell lines (Caco-2). To establish critical gaps in this important topic, extensive and well-thought systematic reviews were conducted at the initial stage of the study. Plant extracts were obtained using serial exhaustive extraction using three different extraction solvents (Hexane, Ethyl acetate, and Methanol). Our unique study reports on these important plants as efficient natural inhibitors of CRC growth, by directly linking their phytoconstituents to; the downregulation of COX-2, 5-LOX, Bcl-xL, Bcl2, and upregulation of CASP9 genes dose-dependently. I strongly present Withania somnifera, Warbugia ugandensis, and Aloe secundiflora plant extracts as promising natural inhibitors for CRC carcinogenesis and recommend in vivo and subsequent clinical trials, with substantial clinical effects postulated. In addition, methanol and ethyl acetate can extract metabolites exhibiting higher regulatory effects on the targeted genes and are thus highly recommended for application in yielding maximum benefits. Finally, I suggest studies on the identification and characterization of the specific metabolites in these plants, that are involved in the modulatory mechanisms, resulting in the inhibition of CRC growth and possible metastases.