The ethanol extract from Artemisia princeps Pampanini induces apoptosis by inhibition of NF-κB signaling in colon cancer cells

Artemisia princeps Pampanini is widely used in Eastern traditional medicine for the treatment of circulatory disorders, such as, dysmenorrhea, hematuria, hemorrhoids, and inflammation. In recent years, it has been proposed that A. princeps may possess anti-tumorigenic potential in certain cancer cell type. In this study, the anti-carcinogenic effects of ethanol extract of A. princeps Pampanini (EAPP) were investigated in HT-29 and HCT-116 human colon cancer cells and AOM/DSS-induced colitis-associated cancer (CAC) mouse models. We found that EAPP treatment of cells resulted in induction of apoptosis involving the cleavages of caspase family proteins and PARP, while decreased expression of anti-apoptotic proteins. In addition, we observed that EAPP treatment inhibited NF-κB transcriptional activity and decreased translocation of p65 subunit into nuclear fractions in colon cancer cells. In an AOM/DSS-induced CAC models, administration with EAPP significantly attenuated shortening of the colon and decreased the number of colon tumors. Furthermore, EAPP treatment decreased expression of anti-apoptotic proteins and translocation of p65 subunit in nuclear fractions, whereas EAPP markedly induced the cleavage of PARP in colon tissue of an AOM/DSS-induced CAC models. Taken together, our data indicated that EAPP could be a useful agent for prevention and treatment of colon cancer.