Anti-Cancer Effects of Probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus for Colorectal Cancer Cell Line Caco-2 through Apoptosis Induction

Abstract

Background: Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Probiotics are useful and non-pathogenic microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract, which can show anticancer activity through the induction of apoptosis. This study aimed to evaluate the antiproliferative effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus probiotic on the Caco-2 colorectal cancer cell line. Methods: The supernatant (secreted metabolites) and bacterial extract of L. acidophilus probiotics were prepared and used as an anti-proliferative agent on the colorectal cancer cell line, Caco-2 in vitro. The effects of supernatant and extract of L. acidophilus were evaluated on the viability and proliferation of cancer cells using MTT assay. Moreover, morphological alterations of cancer cells treated with supernatant and extract of L. acidophilus were evaluated by an inverted phase contrast microscope. The mRNA expression levels of apoptosis-related genes (SURVIVIN and SMAC) in treated cancer cells and untreated controls were evaluated using the Real-Time PCR method. Results: The results showed that the supernatant and extract of L. acidophilus inhibited the viability and proliferation of cancer cells in a dose and time-dependent manner. Moreover, various morphological alterations were observed in the treated cancer cells, which are indicators of apoptosis induction. The mRNA expression of SURVIVIN and SMAC genes were significantly up-regulated and downregulated in the treated cancer cells, respectively. Conclusion: The results of the present study suggested that the supernatant and extract of L.acidophilus could inhibit the viability and proliferation of colorectal cancer cell line, Caco-2through induction of apoptosis, increase the survival rate of colon cancer patients.

An Update on the Effectiveness of Probiotics in the Prevention and Treatment of Cancer

“…Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum showed increased cytotoxic effects against breast and colon cancer cell lines by upregulating Bax, IFN-γ, and TNF-α expression and downregulating Bcl2 expression [41]. Further L. acidophilus induces apoptosis by increasing the mRNA expression of survivin and decreasing the mRNA expression of SMAC [42]. Lactobacillus casei significantly increases the expression of the hBD-2 gene in the cancer colon cell line HT29 [43].…”

Biotechnological Applications of Probiotics: A Multifarious Weapon to Disease and Metabolic Abnormality

“…On the other hand, L. acidophilus and B. bifidum increased the cytotoxic activity against breast and colon cancer cells by upregulating IFN-γ and TNF-α expression, and downregulating Bcl2 expression [260]. Probiotic bacterium L. acidophilus induces apoptosis via increasing the mRNA expression of surviving [261]. Another study revealed that Propionibacterium enhanced apoptosis in colorectal carcinoma cells through the action of SCFAs on mitochondria [262].…”

“…Probiotic bacterium L . acidophilus induces apoptosis via increasing the mRNA expression of surviving [ 261 ]. Another study revealed that Propionibacterium enhanced apoptosis in colorectal carcinoma cells through the action of SCFAs on mitochondria [ 262 ].…”

Comparative effects of Salvizan gel (containing Salvia officinalis extract) and triamcinolone acetonide gel on the duration and symptoms of oral lichenoid reactions

“…Another treatment for lichen planus is medicinal plants [12][13][14]. Salvia officinalis is one of these plants whose extract is used in salvizan gel.…”