HDACs modulation and anticancer potential of Euphorbia virgata in colon adenocarcinoma: experimental and bioinformatics insights

Aim: Euphorbia virgata (E. virgata), a species belonging to the Euphorbiaceae family, is distributed across diverse regions of the world. Owing to its rich phytochemical profile, particularly phenolics and alkaloids, it exhibits a wide range of biological activities. This study investigated the effects of ethanol extract from the aerial parts of E. virgata on HT-29 COAD and CCD-18Co normal fibroblast cell lines, as well as the expression profiles of HDACs. Material and Methods: The plant material utilised in the present study was collected from the village of İmaret, located in Sivas province, during the months of June and July 2023. Prof. Dr. Yavuz Bülent Köse subsequently identified the specimen, which was then deposited at the Anadolu University Herbarium under specimen number 16195. Ethanol extracts from the aerial parts of E. virgata were applied to HT-29 and CCD-18Co cell lines at concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 250 µg/mL. Anticancer activity was assessed using the MTT assay. The expression levels of HDACs were analysed by RT-PCR using the ∆∆Ct method. Results: Based on the cell culture experiments, anticancer activity was evaluated using the MTT assay. The IC₅₀ values for CCD-18Co cells were 149.9 µg/mL at 24 h, 36.37 µg/mL at 48 h, and 15.98 µg/mL at 72 h. In contrast, the IC₅₀ values for HT-29 cells were 3.9 µg/mL at 24 h, 1.295 µg/mL at 48 h, and 0.4653 µg/mL at 72 h. The expression levels of HDACs were determined in HT-29 COAD cells in comparison to CCD-18Co healthy control cells. The results demonstrated that the isolated E. virgata extract exhibited increased HDAC1 and HDAC3 gene expression. Furthermore, HDAC2 expression was decreased, demonstrating a significant inhibitory effect on E. virgata. Conclusions: In conclusion, E. virgata may play an important role in HDAC regulation in COAD cells and may offer a potential therapeutic option for preventing COAD progression. However, further studies are required to confirm these findings and assess their transferability to clinical practice.