en Biochemistry Biochemistry پژوهشي Research <span style="font-size:9pt"><span minion="" pro="" style="font-family:"><b>Introduction</b>: 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylethanol&nbsp; (DHPE) is a strong antioxidant that has activities such as controlling oxidative stress, inhibiting cell proliferation, and inducing apoptosis. Toxicological studies have shown that this substance has no mutagenic or genotoxicological effects that support its long-term use. This study investigated DHPE&rsquo;s role in regulating key apoptotic genes (<i>Bax</i>, <i>Bcl2</i>, <i>Caspase3</i>, and p53) in HCT116 cells, with a particular focus on its p53-independent effects, offering new insights into alternative apoptosis pathways in colorectal cancer (CRC).</span></span><br> <span style="font-size:9pt"><span minion="" pro="" style="font-family:"><b>Materials & Methods</b><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times="">: </span></span></b>The human colorectal cancer cells (HCT-116) were treated with 50, 100, 150, and 200 &micro;M of DHPE for 24 hours. Then, the expression level of <i>Bax</i>, <i>Bcl2</i>, <i>Caspase3</i>, and p53 genes was evaluated by real-time PCR.<span lang="FA" dir="RTL" style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""></span></span></span><br> <span style="font-size:9pt"><span minion="" pro="" style="font-family:"><b>Results</b><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times="">: &nbsp;</span></span></b>Analysis of gene expression results showed that DHPE increased gene expression of <i>Bax</i>, <i>Bcl2</i>, <i>caspase3</i>, and the <i>Bax</i>/<i>Bcl2</i> ratio (P<0.05), but there were no significant changes in p53 gene expression in treated groups compared to the control group in HCT116 cells.</span></span><br> <span style="font-size:9pt"><span minion="" pro="" style="font-family:"><b>Conclusion</b><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times="">: &nbsp;</span></span></b>This study provides evidence that DHPE induces apoptosis in HCT116 cells without altering p53 mRNA levels, suggesting potential activity through p53-alternative pathways. These findings highlight DHPE&#39;s promise as a novel therapeutic candidate for CRC, particularly in tumors with p53 dysfunction</span></span> HCT116 cells, 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylethanol, Apoptosis 39 48 http://jbrms.medilam.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-892-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Atena Salehi Marzijer atena.salehi.1989@gmail.com 10031947532846008564 0009-0005-3004-0761 No Student Research Committee, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran Maryam Hormozi maryamhormozi@yahoo.com 10031947532846008565 10031947532846008565 Yes Razi Herbal Medicines Research Center, School of Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran