Antitumor Effect and Gut Microbiota Modulation by Quercetin, Luteolin, and Xanthohumol in a Rat Model for Colorectal Cancer Prevention

Abstract

Colorectal cancer stands as the third most prevalent form of cancer worldwide, with a notable increase in incidence in Western countries, mainly attributable to unhealthy dietary habits and other factors, such as smoking or reduced physical activity. Greater consumption of vegetables and fruits has been associated with a lower incidence of colorectal cancer, which is attributed to their high content of fiber and bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids. In this study, we have tested the flavonoids quercetin, luteolin, and xanthohumol as potential antitumor agents in an animal model of colorectal cancer induced by azoxymethane and dodecyl sodium sulphate. Forty rats were divided into four cohorts: Cohort 1 (control cohort), Cohort 2 (quercetin cohort), Cohort 3 (luteolin cohort), and Cohort 4 (xanthohumol cohort). These flavonoids were administered intraperitoneally to evaluate their antitumor potential as pharmaceutical agents. At the end of the experiment, after euthanasia, different physical parameters and the intestinal microbiota populations were analyzed. Luteolin was effective in significantly reducing the number of tumors compared to the control cohort. Furthermore, the main significant differences at the microbiota level were observed between the control cohort and the cohort treated with luteolin, which experienced a significant reduction in the abundance of genera associated with disease or inflammatory conditions, such as Clostridia UCG-014 or Turicibacter. On the other hand, genera associated with a healthy state, such as Muribaculum, showed a significant increase in the luteolin cohort. These results underline the anti-colorectal cancer potential of luteolin, manifested through a modulation of the intestinal microbiota and a reduction in the number of tumors.

Elucidation of Anti-Obesity Mechanisms of Phenolics in Artemisiae argyi Folium (Aiye) by Integrating LC-MS, Network Pharmacology, and Molecular Docking

“…Pharmacological research has shown that it has anti-virus, anti-bacteria, anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-dermatitis, gastro-protective, and anti-cancer effects, mainly due to the presence of essential oils, flavonoids, and organic acids [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. Pharmacological research has identified various anti-cancer components of Aiye, including jaceosidin, irigenin, luteolin, eriodictyol, apigenin, eupatilin, casticin, and artemetin [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ]. In obesity, the secretion of adipokines by adipose tissue was dysregulated, characterized by the up-regulation of proinflammation adipokines and the down-regulation of anti-inflammation adipokines [ 30 ].…”