A Natural Degradant of Curcumin, Feruloylacetone Inhibits Cell Proliferation via Inducing Cell Cycle Arrest and a Mitochondrial Apoptotic Pathway in HCT116 Colon Cancer Cells

Feruloylacetone (FER) is a natural degradant of curcumin after heating, which structurally reserves some functional groups curcumin. It not as widely discussed its original counterpart has been previously; and in this study, anticancer efficacy investigated. This study focuses on the suppressive effect FER colon cancer, efficacious typical cancer type well evidenced. In addition, demethoxy-feruloylacetone (DFER) was applied to compare that might be brought by structural differences methoxy group. revealed both DFER inhibited proliferation HCT116 cells, possibly via suppression phosphorylated mTOR/STAT3 pathway. Notably, could significantly repress STAT3 phosphorylation protein levels. Furthermore, samples showed capability arresting cells at G2/M phase activation p53/p21 upregulation cyclin-B. ROS elevation changes mitochondrial membrane potential were revealed, indicated p-atm elevation. The apoptotic rate rose 36.9 32.2% being treated DFER, respectively. summary, compounds exhibited an effect, greater proapoptotic due presence group aromatic ring.