Resveratrol induces human colorectal cancer cell apoptosis by activating the mitochondrial pathway via increasing reactive oxygen species

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide according to Global Cancer Statistics 2018. Resveratrol (RSV) is a phenolic compound that possesses anticancer functions against various types of cancer, including breast and gastric cancer. However, the functions and mechanism underlying RSV in CRC are not completely understood. The present study aimed to investigate the anticancer effects and mechanism underlying RSV in CRC cells by conducting Cell Counting Kit-8, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and western blotting assays. The results suggested that RSV dose-dependently inhibited CRC cell viability, and increased cell apoptosis and ROS levels compared with the control group. The protein expression levels of Bax, cytochrome c, cleaved caspase-9 and cleaved caspase-3 were upregulated, whereas Bcl-2 expression levels were downregulated in RSV-treated CRC cells compared with control cells. The results indicated that RSV might activate the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway by increasing ROS release. The present study suggested that RSV possessed antitumour activity against CRC by modulating an ROS-mediated mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.