Zhao Ma1, Xuebin Bao2, Junbao Gu1. 1. Gastrointestinal Surgery Department, The People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University (People's Hospital of Henan Province), Zhengzhou, China. 2. Gastrointestinal Surgery Department, The People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University (People's Hospital of Henan Province), Zhengzhou, China. Electronic address: xuebinbaozz@126.com.
Abstract
Aim Furowanin A (Fur A) is a flavonoid isolated from Millettia pachycarpa Benth. Studies show its potent anti-neoplastic effects against leukemia cells. The aim of the present study was to determine the potential therapeutic effect of Fur A against colorectal cancer (CRC), and elucidate the underlying mechanism. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to determine cell, and TUNEL and Annexin-V/PI staining was used to detect apoptosis and the cell cycle distribution. The expression levels of specific proteins in the CRC cells were analyzed by Western blotting. A xenograft model was also established to evaluate the therapeutic effect of Fur A in vivo. KEY FINDINGS: Fur A suppressed proliferation, blocked cell cycle progression, induced apoptosis and promoted autophagy in CRC cells. Interestingly, Fur A-induced autophagy functioned not only as a survival mechanism against apoptosis but also intensified the cell cycle arrest in CRC cells. In addition, Fur A mediated its effects via the inactivation of the STAT3/Mcl-1 axis. SIGNIFICANCE: Fur A is a promising drug candidate for the treatment and prevention of CRC.
Aim Furowanin A (Fur A) is a flavonoid isolated from Millettia pachycarpa Benth. Studies show its potent anti-neoplastic effects against leukemia cells. The aim of the present study was to determine the potential therapeutic effect of Fur A against colorectal cancer (CRC), and elucidate the underlying mechanism. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to determine cell, and TUNEL and Annexin-V/PI staining was used to detect apoptosis and the cell cycle distribution. The expression levels of specific proteins in the CRC cells were analyzed by Western blotting. A xenograft model was also established to evaluate the therapeutic effect of Fur A in vivo. KEY FINDINGS:Fur A suppressed proliferation, blocked cell cycle progression, induced apoptosis and promoted autophagy in CRC cells. Interestingly, Fur A-induced autophagy functioned not only as a survival mechanism against apoptosis but also intensified the cell cycle arrest in CRC cells. In addition, Fur A mediated its effects via the inactivation of the STAT3/Mcl-1 axis. SIGNIFICANCE: Fur A is a promising drug candidate for the treatment and prevention of CRC.
Authors: Monica Benvenuto; Loredana Albonici; Chiara Focaccetti; Sara Ciuffa; Sara Fazi; Loredana Cifaldi; Martino Tony Miele; Fernando De Maio; Ilaria Tresoldi; Vittorio Manzari; Andrea Modesti; Laura Masuelli; Roberto Bei Journal: Int J Mol Sci Date: 2020-09-10 Impact factor: 5.923