Cancer Preventive Effect of a Novel High Phenolic Sorghum Bran on Human Colon Cancer Cells (P05-008-19)

Objectives Colon cancer is one of leading causes of cancer mortality worldwide. Sorghum is the fifth most largely cultivated crop for human diet in the world. Most sorghum varieties contain high content of phenolic compounds. The objective of the current study is to evaluate the anti-cancer properties of a novel high phenolic sorghum bran extract prepared under 70% ethanol with 5% citric acid solvent. Methods High phenolic sorghum, accession number PI570481, was grown in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico winter nursery during the 2018 and high phenolic sorghum bran extract was prepared using 70% ethanol with 5% citric acid solvent at room temperature for 2 hours. Human colon cancer cell lines (HCT15, SW480, HCT116 and HT-29) were treated with different doses of high phenolic sorghum bran extract. Cell proliferation and apoptosis was measured using MTS assay and Alexa Fluor 488 Annexin V/Dead Cell Apoptosis system, respectively. Distribution of cell cycle was measured Texas Red channel using BD LSRFortessa system. Cell migration and invasion was measured using wound healing assay and Matrigel, respectively. The luciferase activity of reporter genes was measured using a dual-luciferase assay and Western blot was performed to measure expression of cancer phenotype-associated proteins. Results Cell proliferation was inhibited and apoptosis was induced in the human colon cancer cells treated with high phenolic sorghum bran extract in a dose-dependent manner. High phenolic sorghum bran extract led to S phage arrest. Cell migration and invasion was also repressed in the human colon cancer cells treated with high phenolic sorghum bran extract. The change of cancer phenotypes was associated with up- or down-regulation of regulatory genes. Conclusions The present study expands our understanding on the potential use of high phenolic sorghum bran for prevention of human colon cancer. Funding Sources Cooperative Agreement grant from USDA-ARS to S-HL.