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Nobiletin inhibits breast cancer via p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, nuclear transcription factor-κB, and
Jianli Liu1, Shuai Wang1, Siqi Tian1
1School of Life Science, Liaoning University, Shenyang, China.
Introduction:
Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in women, with a high mortality rate.
Objective:
In the present study, we evaluated the anticancer effect of nobiletin, a flavone glycoside, on the breast cancer cell line MCF-7.
Result:
Cell viability and proliferation decreased and cell morphology changed from diamond to round after being treated with nobiletin. Nobiletin induced apoptosis of breast cancer MCF-7 cells via regulating the protein expression of Bax, Bcl-2, cleaved caspase-3, and p53. The expression of Bcl-2 decreased, while the expression of Bax and p53 increased in MCF-7 cells treated with nobiletin. Meanwhile, nobiletin inhibited cell migration by downregulating the protein expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). Moreover, phosphorylation of p38 was increased, and the translocation of p65 and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) to the nucleus was decreased, which suggested that the anticancer effects of nobiletin might at least partially rely on mediating the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, nuclear transcription factor-κB, and Nrf2 pathways in MCF-7 breast cancer cells.
Conclusion And Recommendation:
Our data showed that nobiletin was a potential antitumor drug, and it provided some experimental basis for the clinical application of tumor therapy.
Insights
Nobiletin, a natural flavone, effectively inhibits breast cancer cell growth and migration. It induces apoptosis and alters key protein expressions, suggesting its potential as an anticancer drug.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Breast cancer remains a leading cause of mortality in women worldwide.
- Identifying novel therapeutic agents is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the anticancer effects of nobiletin, a natural flavone glycoside.
- To evaluate nobiletin's impact on the MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line.
Main Methods:
- Cell viability, proliferation, and morphology assays were performed.
- Apoptosis-related protein expression (Bax, Bcl-2, cleaved caspase-3, p53) was analyzed.
- Cell migration was assessed by examining matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 levels.
- Key signaling pathways including p38 MAPK, NF-κB, and Nrf2 were investigated.
Main Results:
- Nobiletin treatment reduced MCF-7 cell viability and proliferation, inducing apoptosis.
- Nobiletin modulated the expression of apoptosis regulators (Bax, Bcl-2, p53) and inhibited cell migration via MMP-2/9 downregulation.
- Nobiletin affected p38 MAPK phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of NF-κB and Nrf2.
Conclusions:
- Nobiletin demonstrates significant antitumor activity against breast cancer cells.
- These findings support nobiletin as a potential therapeutic candidate for breast cancer treatment.
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