Opuntia ficus-indica Extract and Isorhamnetin-3-O-Glucosyl-Rhamnoside Diminish Tumor Growth of Colon Cancer Cells Xenografted in Immune-Suppressed Mice through the Activation of Apoptosis Intrinsic Pathway

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Opuntia ficus-indica extract (OFI-E) and its glycoside isorhamnetin-3-O-glucosyl-rhamnoside (IGR) on the growth of human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells and in a xenografted-immunosuppressed mice model. The IC₅₀ values of OFI-E and IGR on colon Cancer cells (HT-29 RFP) were determinate, as well as their effects on the cell cycle and Apoptosis induction. OFI-E and IGR produced an increased in Apoptosis induction, ROS production and a G0/G1 cell cycle arrest. In xenografted-inmunosupressed mice, OFI-E and IGR reduced the tumor growth rate, myeloperoxidase activity and total Cholesterol levels. OFI-E and IGR reduced the tumor growth through the overexpression of cleaved Caspase-9, HDAC11, and Bai1 proteins. OFI-E reduced the expression of Bcl-2. Results demonstrated the chemopreventive effects of OFI-E, and its purified compound IGR, showing their potential as an alternative in the treatment of colorectal Cancer.