Echinatin induces reactive oxygen species-mediated apoptosis via JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway in colorectal cancer cells.
Phytother Res
; 37(2): 563-577, 2023 Feb.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36184899
ABSTRACT
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a very common and deadly cancer worldwide, and oxaliplatin is used as first-line chemotherapy. However, resistance usually develops, limiting treatment. Echinatin (Ech) is the main component of licorice and exhibits various therapeutic effects on inflammation-mediated diseases and cancer, ischemia/reperfusion, and liver injuries. The present study elucidated the underlying molecular mechanism of Ech-induced apoptosis in both oxaliplatin-sensitive (HT116 and HT29) and -resistant (HCT116-OxR and HT29-OxR) CRC cells. To evaluate the antiproliferative activities of Ech, we performed MTT and soft agar assays. Ech reduced viability, colony size, and numbers of CRC cells. The underlying molecular mechanisms were explored by various flow cytometry analyses. Ech-induced annexin-V stained cells, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, cell cycle arrest, JNK/p38 MAPK activation, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization, and multi-caspase activity. In addition apoptosis-, cell cycle-, and ER stress-related protein levels were confirmed by western blotting. Moreover, we verified ROS-mediated cell death by treatment with inhibitors such as N-acetyl-L-cysteine, SP600125, and SB203580. Taken together, Ech exhibits anticancer activity in oxaliplatin-sensitive and -resistant CRCs by inducing ROS-mediated apoptosis through the JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway. This is the first study to show that Ech has the potential to treat drug-resistant CRC, providing new directions for therapeutic strategies targeting drug-resistant CRC.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Colorectal Neoplasms
/
MAP Kinase Signaling System
Limits:
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Phytother Res
Journal subject:
TERAPIAS COMPLEMENTARES
Year:
2023
Document type:
Article