Differential Effects of Ferulic Acid and p-Coumaric Acid on S Phase Distribution and Length of S Phase in the Human Colonic Cell Line Caco-2

• Ferulic acid (FA) and para-coumaric acid (p-CA) may mediate the protective effects of whole-grain cereals against colon cancer. Therefore, the effects of FA and p-CA on the metabolic activity, proliferation, cell cycle phase distribution, and kinetics of the colonic endothelial tumor cell line Caco-2 was studied. Both compounds at 1500 M decreased the number of cells to 43-75% of control after 2-3 days of treatment. Cell cycle phase distribution and cell cycle kinetics were determined by flow cytometric analysis after bromodeoxyuridine labeling. Each compound at 1500 M decreased the proportion of cells in the G1 phase and increased the proportion of cells in the S and G2 phases. Treatment with 1500 M FA significantly increased the length of the S phase, while p-CA did not. It was concluded that FA and p-CA inhibited cell proliferation by presumably affecting different cell cycle phases, and this warrants further investigations because this inhibition may be one explanation for the diet-related protection against cancer.

Subject headings

LANTBRUKSVETENSKAPER  -- Lantbruksvetenskap, skogsbruk och fiske (hsv//swe)

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES  -- Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (hsv//eng)

Keyword

p-coumaric acid

Cell cycle

proliferation

cereals

ferulic acid

Publication and Content Type

art (subject category)

ref (subject category)