Berberine radiosensitizes human nasopharyngeal carcinoma by suppressing hypoxia-inducible factor-1α expression

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Pharmacology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) presents a significant clinical challenge due to its poor prognosis.
• Radiotherapy is a primary treatment for NPC, but radioresistance limits its efficacy.
• Identifying agents to overcome radioresistance is crucial for improving patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the radiosensitizing potential of berberine in NPC.
• To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying berberine's radiosensitizing effects.
• To evaluate berberine's efficacy both in vitro and in vivo.

Main Methods:

• NPC cell lines (CNE-1, CNE-2) were cultured under hypoxic conditions and treated with berberine.
• Cell proliferation, colony formation, and apoptosis were assessed using MTT, clonogenic, and flow cytometry assays.
• Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression levels were analyzed via Western blot and immunofluorescence.
• In vivo studies utilized nude mouse xenograft models to evaluate berberine's radiosensitizing effects.

Main Results:

• Berberine demonstrated significant radiosensitization of NPC cells in vitro.
• Berberine treatment inhibited the hypoxia/radiation-induced upregulation of HIF-1α and VEGF.
• In vivo experiments confirmed that berberine enhances radiosensitivity in NPC xenografts.
• Berberine treatment reduced cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in NPC cells.

Conclusions:

• Berberine effectively confers radiosensitivity to nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
• The radiosensitizing effect is associated with the downregulation of HIF-1α and VEGF.
• Berberine represents a potential therapeutic agent as a radiosensitizer for NPC radiotherapy.