Enhanced effects of ferulic acid against the harmful side effects of chemotherapy in colon cancer: docking and in vivo study

Abstract

Abstract Background Colorectal cancer is considered a potential causative agent of morbidity and death, making it a particularly dangerous malignancy. The current study aims to assess the efficacy of ferulic acid (FA) to attenuate the harmful side effect of 5-fluorouracil (5FU) in colon cancer tissues induced by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH). Results Regarding the colon tissues of male Wistar-albino rats (Rattus norvegicus), combined FA and 5FU showed the approximately normal structure of mucosa. The treated groups showed a remarkable reduction in Ki67, Ck20, and an elevation in caspase-3 and P53. There was significant upregulation of P53 in both 5FU and combined FA–5FU groups (p < 0.001 and p < 0.00001, respectively). Conclusions The present results revealed a potential role of the combined therapy by 5FU and FA in the suppression of colon cancer induced by DMH by upregulation of apoptosis with the clear effect of FA in attenuating the side effects of 5FU on the normal cells.

Keywords

• Ferulic acid
• 5-Fluorouracil
• Colon cancer
• 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine
• Caspase-3
• P53