A vanillin derivative suppresses the growth of HT29 cells through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignancy and the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. According to previous studies, vanillin possesses pharmacological and anticancer activities. In this work, we have modified the structure of vanillin to obtain a vanillin derivative called 4-(1H-imidazo [4,5-f][1,10]-phenanthrolin-2-yl)-2-methoxyphenol (IPM711), which has improved anticancer activity. The present study is intended to explore the anti-colorectal cancer activity of IPM711 in HT29 and HCT116 cells. The results of this study suggest that IPM711 can inhibit the growth, invasion and migration of HT29 and HCT116 cells. Western blot and molecular docking showed that IPM711 could bind to a Wnt/β-catenin signaling receptor to inhibit cell growth, invasion and migration in HT29 cells. Based on these results, IPM711 is a promising anticancer drug candidate for human colorectal cancer therapy.