Fig. 8.

Addition of 5-ASA and metformin on CRC cells inhibit the NF-κB and STAT3 signaling pathways. Inhibition of gene expression of IL-1β and TNF-α decreases activation of NF-κB resulting in inhibition of target gene expression. Moreover, decrease in IL-6 mRNA levels reduces STAT3 activation and thus decreasing target gene transcription. The target genes for both pathways include COX-2, Bcl-2, IL-6 and MMP’s. Low levels of COX-2 and IL-6 gene expression and Bcl-2, MMP-2 and −9 protein levels confirm the inhibition of both the signaling pathways