Ethanol Extract of Pomegranate (Punica granatum) Peel in Increasing the Expression of Caspase-3 in DSS-Induced Mice

Abstract

Background. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a malignancy derived from the glandular epithelial cells in the colon. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are more likely to develop CRC. Cancer proliferation is characterized by the loss of inhibition of apoptosis, which involves caspase-3 activation. This study examined the effects of the pomegranate peel extract on the expression of caspase-3 in mice crypt cells induced by dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) 2%. Methods. The experimental study was done in six groups. All treatments were done in 42 days. The groups were all induced by DSS through water drinking, except for the normal group, which was only given water. The treatments given included the pomegranate extract in two doses (240 mg and 480 mg/kg bw/day), aspirin, and ellagic acid. The specimens were then fixated and stained for the immunohistochemistry scoring for the expression of caspase-3, which was then analyzed statistically. Results. The H-scores of each treatment group were 213.23 ± 8.32 (DSS group), 243.81 ± 18.69 (normal group), 226.10 ± 12.38 (pomegranate peel extract of 240 mg/kg/d), 238.84 ± 15.81 (pomegranate peel extract of 480 mg/kg/d), 227.47 ± 12.15 (aspirin), and 224.01 ± 18.39 (ellagic acid). Statistical differences were found in one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc analysis among the DSS group, normal group, and dose 2 group (pomegranate peel extract of 480 mg/kg/day). Conclusions. The ethanol extract of pomegranate was able to induce apoptosis, which was demonstrated by the increase of caspase-3 expression.

Dietary supplementation of pomegranate extract alters the Caspase-3 and VEGF promoter epigenetic methylation status and protein levels in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy

“…In line with these findings, it was recently reported that PE extract increased caspase-3 expression in an animal model of colorectal cancer, which promoted apoptosis machinery (Kusmardi et al, 2021). A similar influence of pomegranate peel extract on caspase-3 was also observed in the hepatocellular carcinoma cell model in which the extract was able to induce elevation of caspase-3 and enhance apoptosis (Elbakry et al, 2023).…”

Determination of the Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Properties of Pomegranate Peel Extract Obtained by Ultrasound on HCT-116 Colorectal Cancer Cell Line

“…This enzyme is responsible for maintaining genomic integrity and is required to cut both DNA strands, as well as to ensure proper DNA replication and chromosome segregation; hence, polyphenols are described as a potent topoisomerase II poisons [52]. Kusmardi et al showed that the ethanolic extract of pomegranate induced apoptosis by increasing caspase-3 expression [53]. Another study conducted by Ahmed et al demonstrated the antitumor activity of pomegranate peel extracts in CRC through the down-regulation of the Wnt/β-Catenin pathway, whose target genes play an ultimate role in tissue homeostasis, as well as in the initiation and progression of CRC through the regulation of various cellular processes, including proliferation, stem cell fate, survival, differentiation, migration, and angiogenesis [54].…”

Acetyl‐11‐keto‐β‐boswellic Acid Confers Protection in DSS‐Induced Colitis via the JNK–p38 MAPK and NF‐κB Signaling Pathways

“…Studies have revealed several promising research and development Chinese herbal medicines for the therapy of IBD, including turmeric, frankincense, and pomegranate peel. [30][31][32] Among them, frankincense, a phytomedicine whose main component is the compound of boswellic acid, has long been used in the treatment of inflammatory diseases. [33] Clinical studies and practices have shown that frankincense, in addition to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, has the effects of regulating human lipid metabolism, antiulcer, and regulating human immunity.…”