<i>In vitro</i>evaluation of the antioxidant and anticancer activities of chlorogenic acid on human colon cancer (HT-29) cells

Abstract

ROS have a dual role in the body. At normal levels, they are essential for cell signalling and differentiation. However, high ROS levels can cause oxidative damage to DNA, lipids, and proteins, leading to diseases like cancer. The body's antioxidant defences counteract ROS damage, ut imbalances can result in oxidative stress linked to various diseases, including cancer and diabetes. The study aims to evaluate chlorogenic acid's in vitro antioxidant and antiproliferative effects on HT-29 human colon cancer cells. The free radical scavenging ability of chlorogenic acid was determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl(DPPH) radical, ABTS radical, nitric oxide radical, and hydrogen peroxide scavenging assays. The antiproliferative effect of chlorogenic acid was assessed using MTT (3-[4,5- dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay, mitochondrial membrane potential measurement, ROS generation, and by measuring apoptotic induction potential. The present study observed a considerable free radical scavenging potential of chlorogenic acid compared to the reference drug ascorbic acid. Similarly,  chlorogenic acid exhibited a potent antiproliferative effect against HT-29 cancer cells, which could be attributed to its apoptotic induction potential and its ability to generate excessive ROS to reduce the cell viability of HT-29 cells. The findings shed light on the potential therapeutic benefits of chlorogenic acid in combating colon cancer, offering insights for further exploration and potential development of novel anticancer treatments.