Differential Effects of Ferulic Acid and p-Coumaric Acid on S Phase Distribution and Length of S Phase in the Human Colonic Cell Line Caco-2

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Ferulic acid (FA) and para-coumaric acid (p-CA) may mediate the protective effects of whole-grain cereals against colon cancer. Therefore, the effects of FA and p-CA on the metabolic activity, proliferation, cell cycle phase distribution, and kinetics of the colonic endothelial tumor cell line Caco-2 was studied. Both compounds at 1500 μM decreased the number of cells to 43−75% of control after 2−3 days of treatment. Cell cycle phase distribution and cell cycle kinetics were determined by flow cytometric analysis after bromodeoxyuridine labeling. Each compound at 1500 μM decreased the proportion of cells in the G1 phase and increased the proportion of cells in the S and G2 phases. Treatment with 1500 μM FA significantly increased the length of the S phase, while p-CA did not. It was concluded that FA and p-CA inhibited cell proliferation by presumably affecting different cell cycle phases, and this warrants further investigations because this inhibition may be one explanation for the diet-related protection against cancer. Keywords: Cell cycle; cereals; p-coumaric acid; ferulic acid; proliferation