Faecalibacterium prausnitzii Ameliorates Colorectal Tumorigenesis and Suppresses Proliferation of HCT116 Colorectal Cancer Cells

Abstract

<i>Faecalibacterium prausnitzii</i> is one of the most abundant commensals of gut microbiota that is not commonly administered as a probiotic supplement. Being one of the gut's major butyrate-producing bacteria, its clinical significance and uses are on the rise and it has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and gut microbiota-modulating properties in the treatment of inflammatory bowel illness, Crohn's disease, and colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a silent killer disease that has become one of the leading causes of cancer-related death worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-tumorigenic and antiproliferative role of <i>F. prausnitzii</i> as well as to study its effects on the diversity of gut microbiota in rats. Findings showed that <i>F. prausnitzii</i> probiotic significantly reduced the colonic aberrant crypt foci frequency and formation in Azoxymethane (AOM)-induced CRC in rats. In addition, the administration of <i>F. prausnitzii</i> lowered the lipid peroxidation levels in the colon tissues. For in vitro 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, the cell-free supernatant of <i>F. prausnitzii</i> suppressed the growth of HCT116 colorectal cancer cells in a time/dose-dependent manner. 16S rRNA gene sequencing using rat stool samples showed that the administration of <i>F. prausnitzii</i> modulated the gut microbiota of the rats and enhanced its diversity. Hence, these findings suggest that <i>F. prausnitzii</i> as a probiotic supplement can be used in CRC prevention and management; however, more studies are warranted to understand its cellular and molecular mechanisms of action.