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Anticancer Potential of Eudesmanolides Derived from Sphagneticola trilobata against Colorectal Cancer, by Targeting β-catenin Signalling

Johny R, Athikkavil FM, Aiswarya SU, Nisthul AA, Sudhesh M, Abhijith B, Krishnakumar KA, Anto RJ et al.

Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry, 2026

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The role of β-catenin signalling in the pathogenesis of Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is indisputable. In this study, we report the identification of a cytotoxic fraction that targets the β-catenin signalling axis in colorectal cancer cells.

METHODS

Chromatographic and spectrometric techniques were used for the isolation and phytochemical characterization of Eudesmanolides (EDS). Cell-viability assays, flow cytometry, fluorescent microscopy, immunoblot analysis, qRT-PCR, and in silico molecular docking studies were used to analyse the antitumor potential of EDS against CRC cells. Toxicological evaluation of EDS was conducted in Swiss albino mice.

RESULTS

We have isolated and characterized the bioactive fraction designated EDS, consisting of the eudesmanolides, namely wedelolide D and prostrolide A, from the Ethyl Acetate (EA) leaf extract of the plant Sphagneticola trilobata (S. trilobata). EDS was found to be highly efficacious against CRC cells and induced an apoptotic mode of cell death in different CRC cell lines. Delineation of the apoptotic pathway induced by EDS revealed extrinsic pathway activation and amplification of the apoptotic signals via the intrinsic pathway through truncated-BID. Molecular investigations revealed EDS-mediated inhibition of β-catenin signalling and PPAR-γ (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma) activation in HCT116 CRC cells.

DISCUSSION

Our study revealed that EDS induced strong apoptotic signals in CRC cells, initiated at…

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