Molecular Effects of Parkia speciosa Hassk. Empty Pod Extract in Colon Cancer: A Transcriptomic and Proteomic Perspective

This study elucidates the multi-targeted antineoplastic mechanisms of Parkia speciosa empty pod extract (PSET) against HCT-116 and HT-29 colorectal cancer (CRC) cells through integrated transcriptomic and proteomic analyses. Phytochemical profiling indicates that PSET is rich in bioactive metabolites, notably quercetin, rutin, and pyrogallol, which orchestrate its profound ability to inhibit tumor proliferation, migration, and invasion. Transcriptomic data revealed that PSET profoundly suppresses the oncogenic Wnt/β-catenin signaling axis while simultaneously activating p53-mediated cell cycle arrest. Complementary proteomic profiling uncovered critical metabolic vulnerabilities, demonstrating that PSET abrogates the Warburg effect by disrupting key glycolytic enzymes (e.g., ENO1, GAPDH, LDHA), thereby inducing metabolic starvation. Furthermore, the extract precipitated a catastrophic collapse of the cytoskeletal architecture and downregulated epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers, effectively paralyzing the cells’ metastatic machinery. The integrated transcriptomic and proteomic signatures also highlighted an irrecoverable state of cellular stress, characterized by an overwhelming unfolded protein response and dysregulated RNA splicing, ultimately driving the cells toward apoptosis. In conclusion, this integrated omics approach provides robust molecular validation that PSET systemically dismantles colorectal cancer survival networks, highlighting its strong potential as a natural, multi-targeted therapeutic agent.