BE56 - The Effect of Persimmon on Cell Viability in Human Colorectal Cancer Cells
SCURS Disciplines
Cell Biology
Document Type
General Poster
Invited Presentation Choice
Service-Learning — Oral
Abstract
Context:
Colorectal cancer (CRC) affects roughly 1 in 25 US men and women throughout their lifetimes, with approximately 154,000 new cases diagnosed in the US in 2025. CRC is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the US. CRC treatment with traditional chemotherapies can lead to chemoresistance due to increased activity of ABCB1 drug transport pumps. Therefore, alternative chemotherapeutics are increasingly necessary to reverse this chemoresistance and treat this deadly disease.
Persimmon is a fruit-bearing tree native to China, Southwest Asia, parts of Europe, and the Eastern United States. The fruit is rich in vitamins, fiber, carotenoids, polyphenols, and tannins. Persimmon leaves, which are also rich in flavonoids and polyphenols, have shown potential to resensitize chemoresistant cancer cells. This study aims to reverse chemoresistance in colorectal cancer cells using persimmon extract.
Objective/Hypothesis:
To determine the effectiveness of low (1µM) and high (1000µM) concentrations of persimmon in resensitizing chemoresistant DLD-1, HCT 116, and Caco2 cell lines. We hypothesized that higher concentrations of persimmon would resensitize the different chemoresistant cell lines.
Methods:
Our project relied on cell culturing, growth in the presence of differing concentrations of extract, and a cell viability assay. We tested on three different cell lines: HCT116, DLD1, and Caco-2.
We initially grew each cell line in their own flasks under normal conditions (i.e., with normal media but without extract). While the cells were growing, we used a microwave extractor to perform the persimmon extraction. Once the extraction was complete and the compounds were isolated, the extracts were mixed with media at varying concentrations.
We plated the cells with the differing concentrations of extract/media on a 96-well plate, along with several controls (media alone; media and extract alone; media and cells alone; and media, cells, and hydrogen peroxide). We used two plates per cell line, for a total of six 96-well plates. 48 hours later, we performed an MTS assay to test the viability of the cells and generate results.
Results:
A qualitative and quantitative analysis was performed to determine cell viability in DLD1, HCT116, and Caco-2 cell lines. Findings were observed and assessed.
Conclusions:
Our findings indicate that the addition of persimmon extract to DLD-1, HCT 116, and Caco-2 enabled observation and assessment of the change in chemoresistance within these cancer cells. Further research on the effects of persimmon will be crucial in understanding the safety and efficiency of this treatment.
Acknowledgements:
Dr. Diana Ivankovic
Isabella Benjamin
Brooklyn Pace
Abi Maurer
Lauren Baskin
Adriella Way
Lauren Suthard
Start Date
10-4-2026 9:30 AM
Location
University Readiness Center Greatroom
End Date
10-4-2026 11:30 AM
BE56 - The Effect of Persimmon on Cell Viability in Human Colorectal Cancer Cells
University Readiness Center Greatroom
Context:
Colorectal cancer (CRC) affects roughly 1 in 25 US men and women throughout their lifetimes, with approximately 154,000 new cases diagnosed in the US in 2025. CRC is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the US. CRC treatment with traditional chemotherapies can lead to chemoresistance due to increased activity of ABCB1 drug transport pumps. Therefore, alternative chemotherapeutics are increasingly necessary to reverse this chemoresistance and treat this deadly disease.
Persimmon is a fruit-bearing tree native to China, Southwest Asia, parts of Europe, and the Eastern United States. The fruit is rich in vitamins, fiber, carotenoids, polyphenols, and tannins. Persimmon leaves, which are also rich in flavonoids and polyphenols, have shown potential to resensitize chemoresistant cancer cells. This study aims to reverse chemoresistance in colorectal cancer cells using persimmon extract.
Objective/Hypothesis:
To determine the effectiveness of low (1µM) and high (1000µM) concentrations of persimmon in resensitizing chemoresistant DLD-1, HCT 116, and Caco2 cell lines. We hypothesized that higher concentrations of persimmon would resensitize the different chemoresistant cell lines.
Methods:
Our project relied on cell culturing, growth in the presence of differing concentrations of extract, and a cell viability assay. We tested on three different cell lines: HCT116, DLD1, and Caco-2.
We initially grew each cell line in their own flasks under normal conditions (i.e., with normal media but without extract). While the cells were growing, we used a microwave extractor to perform the persimmon extraction. Once the extraction was complete and the compounds were isolated, the extracts were mixed with media at varying concentrations.
We plated the cells with the differing concentrations of extract/media on a 96-well plate, along with several controls (media alone; media and extract alone; media and cells alone; and media, cells, and hydrogen peroxide). We used two plates per cell line, for a total of six 96-well plates. 48 hours later, we performed an MTS assay to test the viability of the cells and generate results.
Results:
A qualitative and quantitative analysis was performed to determine cell viability in DLD1, HCT116, and Caco-2 cell lines. Findings were observed and assessed.
Conclusions:
Our findings indicate that the addition of persimmon extract to DLD-1, HCT 116, and Caco-2 enabled observation and assessment of the change in chemoresistance within these cancer cells. Further research on the effects of persimmon will be crucial in understanding the safety and efficiency of this treatment.
Acknowledgements:
Dr. Diana Ivankovic
Isabella Benjamin
Brooklyn Pace
Abi Maurer
Lauren Baskin
Adriella Way
Lauren Suthard