Romanian Society of Pharmaceutical Sciences
 

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IMPACT OF SYRINGIC AND CAFFEIC ACIDS ON EPITHELIAL-MESENCHYMAL TRANSITION MARKERS IN COLORECTAL CANCER CELL LINES

NEVENA VUJINOVIĆ 1*, STEFAN BLAGOJEVIĆ 1, MILENA MILUTINOVIĆ 1, DANIJELA NIKODIJEVIĆ 1, JOVANA JOVANKIĆ 1, VLADIMIR JURIŠIĆ 2, JASMINKA MRĐANOVIĆ ³

¹ Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
2 Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
3 Oncology Institute of Vojvodina, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia

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One of the leading causes of mortality among malignancies is colorectal carcinoma (CRC). As metastasis is central to CRC progression, research on the anti-invasive and anti-migratory actions of bioactive compounds is crucial for advancing new treatments. Biologically active plant compounds, including phenolic acids, are known for their therapeutic properties. Both syringic (SA) and caffeic acids (CA) are recognized for their significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activity. In this study, the influence of these acids on the anticancer, invasive, and migratory potential of CRC cells was examined, including the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and invasion markers. For these purposes, the MTT assay, wound healing assay, transwell method, real-time PCR, and immunocytochemistry were used. Results showed low cytotoxic effects, but significant anti-invasive and anti-migratory effects. Expression analyses indicated modulation of key monitored EMT and invasion markers on transcriptional and protein levels, suggesting a partial EMT transition characterized by incomplete induction of invasive properties. All results indicate that SA and CA exhibit potential anti-invasive and anti-migratory properties in the tested cells, independently of non-cytotoxic effects, opening a new field of research.