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Tounong Powder () extracts induce G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in LoVo cells
Liang-Hua Fang1,2, Shen-Lin Liu1, Rui-Ping Wang3
1Department of Oncology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, China.
Objective:
To further explore the anti-cancer effect of Tounong Powder () extracts (TNSEs) on human colon cancer LoVo cells and examine the possible molecular mechanisms.
Methods:
The contents of TNSEs were determined by liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer (LC-MS) analysis after extraction with water and methanol. Variations of cell morphological features were observed using fluorescence microscopy. Cytotoxicity was determined by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were analyzed using flow cytometry at different TNSE doses (0, 62.5, 125, or 250 μg/mL). Protein expressions of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), phosphate protein kinase B (p-AKT), phosphate mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR), p-p70s6k1, cleaved caspase-9 and -3 were detected using Western blot analysis.
Results:
TNSEs induced cell growth inhibition in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Flow cytometric analysis showed apoptotic cells and cell cycle arrest at the G phase after TNSEs treatment compared with controls. Furthermore, TNSEs significantly down-regulated the proteins PI3K, p-AKT, p-mTOR, and p-p70s6k1, and up-regulated the proteins cleaved caspase-9 and -3 dosedependently, as determined by Western blot.
Conclusions:
TNSEs reduced LoVo cell proliferation, and caused apoptosis and cell-cycle arrest in LoVo cells. This effect might be associated with regulation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
Insights
Tounong Powder extracts (TNSEs) inhibit human colon cancer LoVo cell growth by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. This anti-cancer effect is linked to the regulation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Colon cancer remains a significant global health challenge.
- Investigating novel therapeutic agents is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the anti-cancer effects of Tounong Powder extracts (TNSEs) on human colon cancer LoVo cells.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying TNSEs' anti-cancer activity.
Main Methods:
- TNSEs were analyzed using liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer (LC-MS).
- Cell viability was assessed via MTT assay.
- Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry.
- Key protein expressions (PI3K, p-AKT, p-mTOR, p-p70s6k1, cleaved caspase-9, -3) were detected by Western blot.
Main Results:
- TNSEs demonstrated dose- and time-dependent inhibition of LoVo cell growth.
- TNSEs induced G phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in LoVo cells.
- TNSEs downregulated PI3K, p-AKT, p-mTOR, p-p70s6k1, and upregulated cleaved caspase-9 and -3.
Conclusions:
- TNSEs exhibit significant anti-proliferative, apoptotic, and cell cycle-arresting effects on LoVo colon cancer cells.
- The anti-cancer activity of TNSEs is potentially mediated through the modulation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
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