Background: Colorectal Cancer (CRC) ranks as the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Current guidelines recommend initiating CRC screening at age 50; however, there has been a concerning rise in CRC incidence among younger populations. Genetic predisposition, oxidative stress, and inflammation are believed to contribute to CRC pathogenesis. However, when treated via conventional methods like chemotherapy and bowel resection, some patients are met with undesirable side effects, such as cardiotoxicity associated with agents like anthracyclines. Vialinin A, an extract from the Chinese mushroom Thelephora Vialis, demonstrates both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Moreover, we propose that Vialinin A has potential anticarcinogenic mechanisms that may be utilized in the treatment of CRC cell proliferation and metastasis. Methods: To assess the impact of Vialinin A on both SW480 and CaCO-2 CRC cell lines, we exposed them to increasing concentrations of Vialinin A. Viability of these cells after 24 and 48 hours was evaluated using an MTT assay. Subsequently, specific assay kits were employed to measure caspase-3 activity and apoptosis induction. Additionally, an RD Systems Antibody Multiplex Array was utilized to ascertain the expression levels of diverse apoptosis markers in Vialinin A-treated CRC cell lysates. Moreover, a mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (MT-ROS) assay was performed to measure the ROS production of CaCO-2 cells pre and post-treatment with Vialinin A. Furthermore, a trans-well migration, scratch assay, and multiplex array are slated for use to identify the antimetastatic potentials of Vialinin A, as well as the oncogenic, inflammatory markers expressed in its presence. Ultimately, in vivo experiments using nude mice xenografts will further allow us to examine the potential chemopreventive role of Vialinin A.

Results: Our findings indicate that Vialinin A inhibits CRC cell growth in a concentration-dependent manner. Additionally, Vialinin A suppresses reactive oxygen species production, activates caspase-3, and triggers apoptosis in growth factor-stimulated cancer cells. Moreover, Vialinin A modulates the expression of various apoptotic markers in CRC cells. Ongoing investigations aim to elucidate the underlying mechanisms by which Vialinin A hinders CRC growth.