Exploring the Anti-cancer Effect of Ethanol Extract of Jamaican Cherry (Muntingia calabura L.) Leaves on CT26 Colorectal Cancer Cells through WNT Signaling

The prevalence rate of mortality in colorectal cancer is comparatively elevated. A standard or effective treatment has not been developed to resolve this issue. Utilizing Muntingia calabura, which is known to contain rutin with anti-cancer properties, is one of the strategies that can be implemented. The present study focuses on the potential therapeutic effects of M. calabura as an anti-cancer agent in colorectal cancer. Specifically, this study investigates the anti-cancer properties of rutin against colorectal cancer. The results of this study showed that the ethanolic extraction of M. calabura contained approximately 0.727 mg/mL of rutin. Additionally, the cytotoxicity assessment revealed that the rutin fraction was moderately cytotoxic, with a value of 70.808 μg/mL. The results of molecular docking experiments demonstrated a high degree of accuracy in predicting the interaction between rutin and β-catenin. Furthermore, the quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assay revealed a significant reduction in the expression of the β-catenin gene within the cells exposed to the extract. In conclusion, M. calabura extract exhibits anti-cancer properties by influencing the WNT signaling pathway in CT26 cells.