Fraxetin inhibits the growth of colon adenocarcinoma cells via the Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signalling pathway.

•Fraxetin is a selective tumoricidal drug at low micromolar concentrations.•Fraxetin regulates the cell cycle by modulating crosstalk between STAT3 and Skp2/P27.•Fraxetin suppresses the proliferation of COAD cells by intrinsic apoptosis pathway.•Fraxetin inhibits the JAK2/STAT3 pathway by targeting pivotal tyrosine residues.