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β-elemene induced anticancer effect in bladder cancer through upregulation of PTEN and suppression of AKT

Bo Cai1,2, Limin Ma1, Shaojun Nong1

  • 1Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, P.R. China.

Oncology Letters
|October 19, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Beta-elemene, a natural compound, effectively combats bladder cancer by targeting the AKT signaling pathway. It reduces cancer cell viability and migration while increasing apoptosis, offering a promising, low-toxicity treatment option.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Human bladder cancer is aggressive and chemotherapy-resistant.
  • Beta-elemene shows antitumor effects with minimal side effects.
  • The antitumor mechanism of beta-elemene is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate the AKT signaling pathway in bladder cancer.
  • Assess beta-elemene's effect on bladder cancer cells and its mechanism.
  • Determine if beta-elemene influences PTEN and pAKT expression.

Main Methods:

  • Analyzed AKT signaling pathway expression in bladder cancer tissues.
  • Treated bladder cancer cells with beta-elemene.
  • Performed western blot analysis to assess protein expression changes.

Main Results:

  • PTEN was downregulated and pAKT overexpressed in bladder cancer.
  • Beta-elemene suppressed bladder cancer cell viability, invasion, and migration.
  • Beta-elemene treatment increased PTEN expression and decreased pAKT levels.

Conclusions:

  • Beta-elemene demonstrates significant antitumor effects in bladder cancer.
  • The mechanism involves upregulating PTEN and suppressing AKT phosphorylation.
  • Beta-elemene represents a potential therapeutic agent for bladder cancer.
Keywords:
AKTPTENapoptosisbladder cancerβ-elemene

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