Essential Site Maintenance: Authorea-powered sites will be updated circa 15:00-17:00 Eastern on Tuesday 5 November.
There should be no interruption to normal services, but please contact us at [email protected] in case you face any issues.

Flavonoids, including fisetin, have been linked to a reduced risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) and have potential therapeutic applications for the condition. Fisetin, a natural flavonoid found in various fruits and vegetables, has shown promise in managing CRC due to its diverse biological activities. It has been found to influence key cell signaling pathways related to inflammation, angiogenesis, apoptosis, growth factors, and transcription factors. The results of this study demonstrate that fisetin induces colon cancer cell apoptosis through multiple mechanisms. It impacts the p53 pathway, leading to increased levels of p53 and decreased levels of MDM2, contributing to apoptosis induction. Fisetin also triggers the release of important components in the apoptotic process, such as Smac/DIABLO and cytochrome c. Furthermore, fisetin inhibits the COX2 and Wnt/EGFR/NF-ĸB signaling pathways, reducing Wnt target gene expression and hindering colony formation. It achieves this by regulating the activities of CDK2 and CDK4, reducing Rb phosphorylation, decreasing cyclin E levels, and increasing p21 levels, ultimately influencing E2F-1 and CDC2 protein levels. Additionally, fisetin has various effects on CRC cells, including inhibiting the phosphorylation of YB-1 and RSK, promoting the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, and disrupting the repair process of DSBs. Moreover, fisetin serves as an adjunct therapy for the prevention and treatment of PIK3CA-mutant CRC, resulting in a reduction of PI3K expression, AKT phosphorylation, mTOR activity, and downstream target proteins in CRC cells with a PIK3CA mutation. These findings highlight the multifaceted potential of fisetin in managing CRC and position it as a promising candidate for future therapy development.