Sucralose and Liver Cancer: A Molecular Insight into the Silent Risk Lurking in Everyday Sweeteners

Abstract

Abstract
This study explores the potential link between sucralose, an artificial sweetener, and liver cancer risk. sucralose is widely used for its calorie-free sweetness, but concerns have arisen regarding its long-term safety, particularly its potential carcinogenic effects on the liver. The purpose of this study is to examine how sucralose might interact with liver cancer-related proteins and signaling pathways, assessing its potential carcinogenicity.The study utilized network toxicology and molecular docking approaches. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed to identify key targets of sucralose. Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway analyses were conducted to assess relevant biological functions. Molecular docking simulations evaluated sucralose’s binding affinity to liver cancer-related proteins like CASP3, MAPK1, and PTGS2（top3 hubgene by Cytohubba analysis）.The results indicate that sucralose interacts with several important proteins involved in cell proliferation, immune response, and metabolic pathways. These interactions may disrupt normal cellular functions, potentially contributing to liver cancer development.In conclusion, while the molecular docking results suggest potential carcinogenic interactions, further experimental validation is necessary to confirm these findings in vivo. The study highlights the importance of further research into the health risks of artificial sweeteners, particularly sucralose, to inform public health and regulatory policies.