Raddeanin A, one of the triterpenoid saponins extracted from Anemone raddeana rhizome of the Ranunculaceae family, has demonstrated the ability to inhibit the growth of human hepatic and gastric cancer cells. However, the effects of Raddeanin A on human colon cancer cells have not been investigated extensively. The present study aimed to examine the antiproliferative and apoptosis‑inducing effects of Raddeanin A on the HCT‑116 human colon cancer cell line in vitro, and evaluate the pharmacokinetic and biodistribution properties of Raddeanin A in mice following a single oral administration. A 3‑(4,5‑dimethylthiazol‑2‑yl)‑2,5‑diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was used to assess the in vitro cytotoxicity of Raddeanin A against HCT‑116 cells. 4',6‑Diamidino‑2‑phenylindole, dihydrochloride staining and flow cytometry were performed to further examine the apoptosis‑inducing capability of Raddeanin A. The concentrations of Raddeanin A in the plasma and tissues were analyzed using liquid chromatography‑tandem mass spectrometry. Raddeanin A showed a dose‑dependent antiproliferative effect towards the HCT‑116 cells, with a half maximal inhibitory concentration of ~1.4 µM. Treatment with Raddeanin A resulted in a significant induction of apoptosis, observed as apparent morphological changes of the nuclei, with a total apoptotic ratio of 41.8% at a concentration of 3 µM. Low concentrations of Raddeanin A were detected in the heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney and plasma of the mice following oral administration, however, the majority of the Raddeanin A was distributed in the intestinal tract, particularly in the colon and caecum. These present study confirmed the growth‑inhibitory and apoptosis‑inducing effects of Raddeanin A on HCT‑116 cells and performed preliminary examinations of its pharmacokinetic properties, which provide a foundation for further investigating the inhibitory mechanism on the colon cancer cells in vivo.

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