Evaluation of Anti-Cancer Effects of Xiangsha Taro (Colocasia esculenta Schott) with Proximity Extension Oncology Assays

Proximity extension assay (PEA) is a powerful immunoassay for detection of protein molecules via DNA ligation and amplification, offering high specificity and sensitivity. Taking the advantages of PEA, we have analyzed the alteration of 92 proteins in relation with cancers with plasma samples from the volunteer subjects before and after dietary intervention with Xiangsha Taro (Colocasia esculenta Schott), an annual herbaceous perennial plant, in order to evaluate its anticancer effects. In the current study, forty-two healthy individuals were recruited and dietary intervention with 200g Xiangsha Taro daily was conducted for one month. 92 proteins related to cancer in plasma samples of all subjects before and after dietary intervention were comparatively analyzed by using Proximity Extension Assay (Oncology II). Physiological and biochemistry parameters were also examined. The altered proteins related with cancers were analyzed with GEPIA. Results indicated that CYR61, ANXA1, VIM and GZMH were found to be most significantly down-regulated after Xiangsha Taro consumption. These four proteins were found to be mainly associated with pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD). Furthermore, several metabolic parameters, including the levels of globulin, albumin, creatinine, fasting blood glucose, were found to be significantly decreased after Taro dietary intervention. The current study, thereby, provides the first evidence suggesting that Xiangsha Taro may have the chemoprevention effects mainly in PAAD. Further study of the major chemical components of Xiangsha Taro and their physic chemistry functional properties in relation with anti-cancer effects has been taken into our consideration.