Maackiain suppresses the development of cervical cancer via AMPK priming autophagy
Author:
He Juan12,
Xiang Lan2,
Zhu Tingting2,
Wang Haiyan2,
Huang Yurong3,
Li Hui3,
Miao Chenggui3ORCID,
Zhuang Yali2,
Cao Yunxia1
Affiliation:
1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University , Hefei , China
2. Department of Gynecology, Anhui Maternal and Child Health Hospital , Hefei , China
3. Department of Pharmacology, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine , Hefei , China
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Maackiain (Mac), a flavonoid analog isolated from Sophora flavescens, exhibits neuroprotective, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, and pro-apoptotic effects. It is not clear whether Mac has a therapeutic effect on cervical cancer.
Method
In this work, we used RT-qPCR, western blot, immunofluorescence, and related methods to detect the therapeutic mechanism of Mac for cervical cancer.
Results
We demonstrated that Mac significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of human cervical cancer cell lines HeLa and SiHa. And, Mac enhanced the pro-apoptotic effects of cisplatin in treating cervical cancer cells. Mac has shown good efficacy in treating cervical cancer. Furthermore, Mac inhibited the mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, thereby inducing autophagy in cervical cancer cells. The regulation of mTOR/autophagy pathway by Mac relied on the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and the inhibition of the AMPK reversed the Mac’s anti-cervical cancer activity. In addition, experimental study of Mac in mouse xenograft tumor model further confirmed its good anti-cervical cancer activity.
Conclusion
Mac inhibits human cervical cancer by activating the AMPK/mTOR/autophagy pathway, indicating that it is a potential natural compound for the treatment of cervical cancer. This study also provides a feasible molecular mechanism for the treatment of cervical cancer.
Funder
Anhui Science and Technology Department
Anhui Education Department
Anhui University of Chinese Medicine
Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province
Anhui Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Subject
Pharmaceutical Science,Pharmacology
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