Antiproliferative Effect of Entada rheedii Crude Lectin Extract on Human Colorectal Cancer Cells.

Several studies have proved that leguminous lectins are often explored as a potential anti-cancer agent owing to their substantial anti-cancer properties which include inhibition of cell adhesion, proliferation and colony formation. This group of carbohydrate-binding proteins is seen to cause agglutination and an increase in cancer cell cytotoxicity. The study aims to isolate and purify the lectin present in Entada rheedii, a tropical legume and analyse its significance as a potential antiproliferative agent against human colorectal cancer cells. Previously published work confirmed the lactose, galactose and cellobiose specificity of the lectin, and this lectin was isolated, purified and separated by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Cytotoxic assay was performed to investigate the extent of its strength as an antiproliferative protein. The purified lectin agglutinates processed chicken RBCs with a maximum hemagglutination Unit of 32. The lectin was observed to be stable when stored at 0-4°C. The antiproliferative activity of lectin from Entada rheedii was confirmed against human colorectal carcinoma cells HCT 116 with IC50 values of 188.72 μg/mL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]