Modulatory Properties of Aloe secundiflora’s Methanolic Extracts on Targeted Genes in Colorectal Cancer Management

SIMPLE SUMMARY: This study focused on understanding the potential use of Aloe secundiflora (AS) extracts in managing colorectal cancer (CRC). As colon tumors present complex challenges, the research aimed to assess how the AS methanolic extracts impacted the expression of specific genes related to CRC, namely CASPS9, 5-LOX, Bcl2, Bcl-xL, and COX-2. The results demonstrated that the AS extracts, when applied to CRC cell lines, effectively upregulated CASPS9 expression, promoting apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Simultaneously, the extracts downregulated the expressions of 5-LOX, Bcl2, and Bcl-xL, crucial in curbing cancer progression. The study suggests that using AS extracts and methanol as an extraction solvent could be beneficial in managing CRC. Furthermore, the researchers recommend exploring the specific metabolites in AS involved in these pathways to better understand how they impede the development and spread of CRC. This research provides promising insights into potential natural treatments for colorectal cancer, offering hope for improved therapies in the future. ABSTRACT: Colon tumors have a very complicated and poorly understood pathogenesis. Plant-based organic compounds might provide a novel source for cancer treatment with a sufficient novel mode of action. The objective of this study was to analyze and evaluate the efficacy of Aloe secundiflora’s (AS) methanolic extracts on the expression of CASPS9, 5-LOX, Bcl2, Bcl-xL, and COX-2 in colorectal cancer (CRC) management. Caco-2 cell lines were used in the experimental study. In the serial exhaustive extraction (SEE) method, methanol was utilized as the extraction solvent. Upon treatment of CASPS9 with the methanolic extracts, the expression of the genes was progressively upregulated, thus, dose-dependently increasing the rate of apoptosis. On the other hand, the expressions of 5-LOX, Bcl2, and Bcl-xL were variably downregulated in a dose-dependent manner. This is a unique novel study that evaluated the effects of AS methanolic extracts in vitro on CRC cell lines using different dosage concentrations. We, therefore, recommend the utilization of AS and the application of methanol as the extraction solvent of choice for maximum modulatory benefits in CRC management. In addition, we suggest research on the specific metabolites in AS involved in the modulatory pathways that suppress the development of CRC and potential metastases.