Isoliquiritigenin inhibits the proliferation, apoptosis and migration of osteosarcoma cells.

The overall survival rate of patients with osteosarcoma has remained unchanged for the last several decades. Therefore, novel drugs for osteosarcoma treatment are required. Isoliquiritigenin (ISL), a natural compound, has been demonstrated to inhibit the growth of various tumors. However, it is unclear whether ISL is able to inhibit the growth of osteosarcoma. In the present study, it was identified that ISL was able to inhibit the growth of the osteosarcoma cell line Saos‑2 cells in vitro and in xenograft tumors primarily by attenuating tumor cell proliferation and, cell migration and promoting tumor cell apoptosis. Decreased tumor cell proliferation induced by ISL was associated with downregulation of cyclin D1 and upregulation of p53, p21 and p27. Increased tumor cell apoptosis triggered by ISL was associated with downregulation of apoptosis regulator Bcl‑2, upregulation of apoptosis regulator Bax and damaged mitochondrial function evidenced by a low level of ATP‑synthesis. In addition, ISL was able to inhibit the migratory capacity of Saos‑2 cells by modulating the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)2 and MMP9. Mechanistic analysis revealed that the tumor growth‑inhibitory effect of ISL may depend on the action of ISL on the phosphorylation of PI3K and AKT. However, it remains to be investigated whether the inhibitory effect of ISL on the migration of Saos‑2 cells was associated with downregulated PI3K/AKT signaling. Overall, the present study provided evidence for the potential use of ISL against osteosarcoma.