article = {COR-2019-1-105}
title = {Antineoplastic activity of cucurbitacin I in CC531 rat colorectal cancer cells}
journal = {Clinical Oncology and Research}
year = {2019}
issn = {2613-4942}
doi = {http://dx.doi.org/10.31487/j.COR.2019.01.105}
url = {https://www.sciencerepository.org/antineoplastic-activit-of-cucurbitacin-I-in-CC531-rat-colorectal-cancer-cells_SR-COR-2019-1-105 
author = {E. Eyol,E. Tosun,F Karaku?,H.  Adwan,K.  Y?lmaz,M Kovacheva,M. Zepp,Martin R.  Berger,}
keywords = {Cucurbitacin I, Stat3, pStat3, CC531 rat colorectal cancer cells, liver metastasis model}
abstract ={Purpose: The triterpenoid Cucurbitacin I (Cu I; isolated from Iberis amara), which is a natural inhibitor of
JAK/STAT3 was examined for its antineoplastic effect in CC531 rat colon cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.
Methods: Initially, the antiproliferative effect of Cu I was studied by MTT assay and anti-migratory effects
by wound healing assay. Then, a colony assay was used to determine the inhibition of colony formation in
response to Cu I. Cell cycle changes were analyzed by propidium iodide staining and apoptosis induction
was evaluated by annexin V staining, using flow cytometry, respectively. Hoechst 33342 staining was
utilized to detect changes in nuclear morphology. Detection of Stat3 and pStat3 proteins was done by
Western blot. The orthotopic CC531 model for colorectal cancer liver metastasis was instrumental for
assessing the antitumor effect of Cu I in vivo.
Results: Our results show that Cu I can inhibit the proliferation and migration of CC531 cells in a doseand time-dependent manner. Colony formation was completely suppressed at concentrations corresponding
to one third of the IC50. Furthermore, exposure to Cu I resulted in accumulation of G1/M phase- and
apoptotic cells in vitro. Stat3 was detected in CC531 cells growing in vitro, but pStat3 was noticed only in
vivo. Treatment with maximum tolerated doses of Cu I (200 - 300 µg/kg) did not result into significant
inhibition of colorectal liver metastases in vivo.
Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that the measurable antineoplastic activity of Cu I does not
depend on the presence of pStat3.}