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Jatrorrhizine inhibits liver cancer cell growth by targeting the expressions of miR-221-3p and miR-15b-5p
Abstract
Purpose: To investigate the effect of jatrorrhizine on hepatic cancer cell proliferation and its mechanism of action.
Methods: Jatrorrhizine-mediated changes in cell viability were measured using (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, while apoptosis induction was evaluated by flow cytometry. Transwell assay was used for the measurement of cell invasion, whereas cell migration was assessed by wound healing assay. The protein expression of Axin2 was determined with western blotting assay.
Results: Jatrorrhizine significantly (p < 0.049) suppressed the viability of HepG2 and HCCLM3 cells in the concentration range of 0.5 to 16.0 μM. Treatment of HepG2 and HCCLM3 cells with 4.0 μM jatrorrhizine markedly suppressed cell invasion, when compared to untreated cells (p < 0.0493). Jatrorrhizine significantly promoted the apoptosis of HepG2 and HCCLM3 cells at 48 h, relative to untreated cells, but 16.0 μM jatrorrhizine markedly suppressed the expressions of miR-221-3p and miR-15b-5p (p < 0.0493). Moreover, jatrorrhizine significantly up-regulated the protein expressions of Axin2 in HepG2 and HCCLM3 cells at 48 h (p < 0.0493).
Conclusion: Jatrorrhizine inhibits the proliferation, and suppressed the invasiveness and migration of HepG2 and HCCLM3 liver cancer cells, but increases their apoptosis. Moreover, it down-regulates the expressions of miR-221-3p and miR15b-5p and promotes Axin2 protein expression in HepG2 and HCCLM3 cells. Therefore, jatrorrhizine is a potential drug candidate for the treatment of liver cancer.