Publication: EVALUATION OF THE ANTICANCER ACTIVITY OF GLUCOMORINGIN IN COLORECTAL CANCER CELLS
Date
2026
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Publisher
IMU University
Abstract
Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is among the foremost causes of cancer-related mortality in Malaysia and worldwide. This warrants the continuous development of novel, efficient and safe therapeutic options. Glucomoringin (GMG) is a secondary metabolite derived from the plant, Moringa oleifera Lam, which is highly known for its nutritional, medicinal and environmental benefits. Preclinical studies have identified promising anticancer properties from extracts of M. oleifera and the associated secondary metabolites. Hence, this study aims to investigate the anticancer potential activity of GMG against human colorectal cancer cell lines (HCT116, HT29, HCC2998 and SW48).
The cytotoxic effects of GMG were evaluated through cell viability using the MTT assay at incubation time periods of 24, 48 and 72 hours, with doxorubicin as the standard chemotherapeutic drug. Changes in nuclear morphology and apoptotic features were also assessed through Hoechst 33342 staining and fluorescence microscopy following treatment with GMG.
It was observed that GMG manifests a dose-and time-dependent cytotoxicity across all colorectal cancer cell lines, with HCC2998 and SW48 showing the most significant reduction in cell viability, post treatment. GMG-treated cells displayed intensified nuclear fluorescence and irregularity in nuclear morphology, which is consistent with apoptotic cell death features.
However, despite reports indicating GMG as a potent anticancer agent, our findings shows that GMG has limited antiproliferative effects, even with an IC50 value of more than 100 μM and prolonged exposure of 72 hours. Additionally, its anticancer activity is also markedly lower compared to that of the standard chemotherapy drug, suggesting limited therapeutic potential in its natural form. Nonetheless, these observations provide significant insights into the limitations of GMG and highlight important future research directions aimed at enhancing and unlocking its therapeutic potential.
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Keywords
Colorectal Neoplasms, Moringa, Glucosinolates, Apoptosis, Cell Line, Tumor, Antineoplastic Agents