Pistacia eurycarpa Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis in Colorectal Cancer by Modulating Apoptotic Pathway Genes

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer. Its global incidence and mortality have been on the rise. Recent strategy of therapies has involved the use of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs and cyclooxygenase-selective inhibitors. The genus Pistacia consists of small trees of the cashew nut family Anacardiaceae and is native to tropical and subtropical Asia where its members have long been cultivated for a variety of uses. The trunk of Pistacia species produces a characteristic exudate called mastic gum. The mastic gum and oil are medicinally used against rabies, snake bites, baldness, scabies, as well as in prescriptions for stomach, intestine, bladder, and liver inflammations, oral and dental diseases. In this study, growth-inhibiting and pro-apoptotic effects of hexane, chloroform and methanol extracts of Pistacia eurycarpa in HT-29 colorectal cancer cell line were investigated.