Effect of Boric Acid in Colorectal Adenocarcinoma Cell Line and Role on Chemotherapeutic Effect of 5-Fluorouracil

Abstract

Background and Objective: Colorectal cancer is the second most common type of cancer in the world. Boric acid has been reported for its efficacy to inhibit various cancer cells. The study aimed to investigate the antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of boric acid in a colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line (HT-29) and its role on chemotherapeutic effects of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Materials and Methods: Boric acid and 5-FU were treated to HT-29 cell line for 24 h and effects of boric acid and 5-FU on cell viability, DNA damage and apoptosis were investigated in HT-29 cells. Results: The results of the study revealed that boric acid and 5-FU significantly reduced cell viability at high doses. Low dose administration, where boric acid did not affect cell viability, did not cause genotoxicity and did not significantly change the expression of proteins involved in the apoptotic process. Moreover, boric acid administered with 5-FU partially prevented the chemotherapeutic efficacy of 5-FU by reducing its genotoxic effect. Conclusion: Boric acid administered in high doses causes an antiproliferative effect on HT-29 cells, whereas the use of boric acid (especially in low doses) together with 5-FU causes the chemotherapeutic effect of the drug to decrease.