Microscopic view of cancer cells neutralized by plant compounds.

Cracking the Code: How This Natural Compound Halts Colorectal Cancer's Spread

Kai Mendoza in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover Cairicoside E, a natural resin glycoside, and its potential to revolutionize colorectal cancer treatment by targeting a critical protein involved in metastasis."

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a significant global health challenge, with metastasis—the spread of cancer cells to other parts of the body—being a primary driver of mortality. While advancements in treatment have been made, the need for more effective therapies to combat metastasis is critical. Recent research has focused on understanding the mechanisms that facilitate cancer cell migration and invasion, with the goal of identifying new therapeutic targets.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key process that enables cancer cells to acquire migratory and invasive properties. During EMT, cells lose their cell-cell adhesion and undergo significant changes in gene expression, allowing them to detach from the primary tumor and spread to distant sites. Scientists have been actively exploring ways to disrupt EMT as a strategy to prevent or slow down cancer metastasis.

In a promising turn of events, researchers have zeroed in on Aquaporin 5 (AQP5), a protein closely linked to CRC metastasis, and a natural compound called Cairicoside E, found in the Ipomoea cairica plant. This study explores how Cairicoside E can inhibit EMT by down-regulating AQP5, presenting a potential new avenue for CRC treatment.

How Does Cairicoside E Stop Cancer Cells from Spreading?

Microscopic view of cancer cells neutralized by plant compounds.

The study dives deep into the effects of Cairicoside E (CE) on CRC cells, particularly focusing on its ability to influence EMT. The research team discovered that CE effectively inhibits the expression of AQP5, a protein that, when overexpressed, promotes EMT and enhances the metastatic potential of CRC cells. This inhibitory action is crucial because AQP5 essentially acts as a facilitator for cancer cells to transition into a more aggressive, mobile state.

To confirm their findings, the researchers conducted a series of experiments, including:

Evaluating AQP5 Expression: Measuring AQP5 levels in various CRC cell lines.
EMT Marker Analysis: Examining changes in key proteins that indicate EMT.
Migration and Invasion Assays: Assessing the ability of CRC cells to migrate and invade in the presence of CE.
Gene Silencing and Overexpression: Manipulating AQP5 levels to observe the effects on EMT and metastasis.

The results consistently showed that CE’s anti-metastatic effect relies on its ability to reduce AQP5 expression, thereby hindering the EMT process. This was further confirmed by reversing the inhibitory effect of CE through AQP5 overexpression, which restored the cells’ metastatic capabilities.

A New Hope for Colorectal Cancer Treatment

This research highlights the potential of Cairicoside E as a promising agent in the fight against colorectal cancer metastasis. By understanding its mechanism of action—specifically, its ability to down-regulate AQP5 and suppress EMT—scientists are paving the way for new therapeutic strategies. While further studies are needed, the findings offer a beacon of hope for more effective and less toxic treatments for CRC patients.

About this Article -

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1002/mc.22712, Alternate LINK

Title: Down-Regulation Of Aquaporin 5-Mediated Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition And Anti-Metastatic Effect By Natural Product Cairicoside E In Colorectal Cancer

Subject: Cancer Research

Journal: Molecular Carcinogenesis

Publisher: Wiley

Authors: Chen Chen, Ting Ma, Chao Zhang, Hao Zhang, Lijuan Bai, Lingyi Kong, Jianguang Luo

Published: 2017-09-11

Everything You Need To Know

What is Cairicoside E, and why is it significant?

Cairicoside E is a natural compound, specifically a resin glycoside, found in the plant Ipomoea cairica. It has shown promise in potentially revolutionizing colorectal cancer treatment. It is essential because of its ability to combat the spread of cancer cells (metastasis) by targeting a crucial protein involved in this process.

Why is colorectal cancer metastasis so important in the context of this research?

Colorectal cancer metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from the primary tumor to other parts of the body, and it's a primary driver of mortality in patients with colorectal cancer. The implications are severe, leading to significantly reduced survival rates and a poorer quality of life. This underscores the critical need for effective therapies to prevent or slow down metastasis.

What role does Aquaporin 5 (AQP5) play in cancer metastasis, and how does Cairicoside E interact with it?

Aquaporin 5 (AQP5) is a protein closely associated with colorectal cancer metastasis. When AQP5 is overexpressed, it promotes Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), making cancer cells more aggressive and mobile. Cairicoside E's ability to down-regulate AQP5 expression is central to its anti-metastatic effects, hindering EMT and thereby slowing the spread of cancer cells.

What is Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and why is it important?

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a cellular process where cancer cells acquire the ability to migrate and invade other tissues. During EMT, cells lose their adhesion and undergo changes in gene expression, allowing them to detach from the primary tumor. It is significant because it enables cancer cells to spread (metastasize). Blocking or disrupting EMT is a strategy to prevent or slow down cancer metastasis.

How does Cairicoside E work to stop the spread of cancer cells?

Cairicoside E inhibits the expression of Aquaporin 5 (AQP5) in colorectal cancer cells. The researchers found that Cairicoside E down-regulates AQP5 which then hinders Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The study used experiments like AQP5 expression measurements, EMT marker analysis, and cell migration/invasion assays to show that Cairicoside E's anti-metastatic effect comes from its ability to reduce AQP5 expression and hinder the EMT process.