Gochujang suppresses cell survival and changes reactive oxygen species metabolism in colorectal cancer cells

There is a significant global increase in colorectal cancer (CRC) among young adults. Gochujang, one of the signature Korean traditional fermented foods, contains various bioactive compounds and has multiple health-beneficial effects, including anticancer effects; however, the detailed cellular and molecular mechanisms of its anticancer outcomes are not fully understood. The objective of the present study was to investigate the detailed underlying anticancer mechanisms of Gochujang in CRC cells. Gochujang was extracted with 80% ethanol, and total polyphenol contents (9.9 ± 1.63 mgGAE/g) and total flavonoid contents (0.14 ± 0.07 mgQE/g) of Gochujang extract (GE) were evaluated. GE significantly suppressed cell viability, migration, and colony formation in CRC cells. Also, GE increased the cell cycle arrest-related protein p21 level, whereas it decreased cell cycle progression-associated proteins, such as p-Rb. Moreover, GE markedly elevated the levels of proapoptotic proteins (e.g. Bim and c-PARP), while it downregulated antiapoptotic protein expressions (e.g. Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL). GE also altered the expression of the autophagy-involved proteins. Furthermore, GE strongly reduced the expression of major antioxidant enzymes and increased the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in CRC cells, causing an imbalance of ROS metabolism. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that Gochujang exerts anticancer effects in CRC cells by inhibiting cell proliferation, increasing cell death, and interrupting ROS metabolism.