Anticancer Effects of Sacha Inchi (Plukenetia volubilis) Shell Extract on Colon Cancer Cells: Integrated GC-MS, LC-MS, Transcriptomic, and Proteomic Analyses

With an aging population and the increase in life expectancy, colorectal cancer is becoming increasingly common. Currently, the mainstay of treatment is chemotherapy, which can cause a variety of side effects. However, herbalists in many cultures have long used herbs to promote health and treat various diseases, including colon cancer. This study investigated the chemical components of shell extracts from <i>Plukenetia volubilis</i> (sacha inchi) and their effects on colon cancer cells. First, cytotoxicity against both normal and cancer cells was assessed, followed by cell migration and invasion. Finally, transcriptomic and proteomic analyses were performed to investigate molecular mechanisms. Phytochemical analysis showed a total phenolic content of 134.61 ± 0.27 mgGAE/g extract and a total flavonoid content of 5.75 ± 0.01 mgQE/g extract; moreover, lidocaine (10.57%) and linolenic acid (10.39%) were identified as the most abundant compounds. In vitro, the extract inhibited cell migration, invasion, and colony formation and was associated with potential modulations of the Hippo pathways and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Therefore, it can be concluded that these extracts are effective in inhibiting the progression of colon cancer cells, and thus, they can prospectively be developed as a dietary supplement or therapeutic agent for the treatment of colon cancer in the future.