Anthocyanins from Aronia melanocarpa Induce Apoptosis in Caco-2 Cells through Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in the world. In this study, the Caco-2 in vitro cell model was used to study the effect and mechanism of Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliott anthocyanins (AMA) on colon cancer. The experimental results showed that the binding energy of anthocyanins on β-catenin was in the range of -5.92 to 4.95 kcal/mol, with good low energy parameters and binding positions. AMA can inhibit cell proliferation and cause cell cycle arrest. RT-PCR and Western blot results showed that AMA can reduce cytoplasmic β-catenin and inhibit the expression of related proteins in Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. This study revealed the AMA inhibitory effect and mechanism of malignant biological behavior of Caco-2 cells, in order to provide theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of colon cancer by Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliott.