Quercetin Inhibits Colorectal Cancer by Enhancing Apoptosis viaPI3K/Akt Pathway

Abstract

CRC is the second leading cancer globally, with a high lethality rate. The primary treatment of CRC is still surgery and
chemotherapy with limited therapeutic effects. Quercetin, a component of traditional Chinese medicine, has shown its
ability to anti-tumor and induce cell apoptosis through PI3K/AKT signalling pathway. This study aims to figure out how
concentrations of quercetin and different treatment durations will influence the effects of induction of apoptosis. The
experiments will use CL40 cells. Cell apoptosis is measured by flow cytometry, and cell growth by MTT assay. The
phospho-AKT level is measured by anti-p-AKT Western Blot. Our research will determine the relationship between
therapeutic effects, drug concentrations, and treatment durations. Further studies on the side effects of quercetin and
methods to mitigate the side effects in the systematic use of quercetin should be done. Moreover, a more specific
mechanism for the function of quercetin is waiting to clarify