Colon cancer is one of the most common types of
cancer worldwide, and its incidence is increasing. Despite advances in medical science, the treatment of
colon cancer still poses a significant challenge. This study aimed to investigate the potential protective effects of Adiantum pedatum (AP) extract and/or
piceatannol on
colon cancer induced via
phenylhydrazine (PHZ) in terms of the
antioxidant and apoptotic pathways and histopathologic changes in the colons of male albino rats. The rats were randomly divided into eight groups: control, AP extract,
piceatannol (P), PHZ, PHZ and AP treatments, PHZ and P treatments, PHZ and both AP and P, and PHZ and prophylaxis with both AP and P. The results demonstrated that PHZ induced oxidative damage, apoptosis, and histopathological changes compared to the control group. However, the administration of AP or P or AP + P as
therapy or prophylaxis significantly ameliorated these changes and upregulated the colonic mir-145 and
mRNA expression of P53 and PDCD-4 while downregulating the colonic
mRNA expression of PI3K, AKT, c-Myc, CK-20, SOX-2, OCT-4, and NanoG compared to the PHZ group. These findings suggest that the candidate drugs may exert their anti-
cancer effects through multiple mechanisms, including
antioxidant and apoptotic activities.