Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 4, 2026
Author Spotlight: THP-1 Macrophage Response to LPS/ATP — Unveiling the Pyroptosis, Apoptosis, and Necroptosis Spectrum
Published on: May 3, 2024
Huaier extract suppresses non-small cell lung cancer progression through activating NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis
Jun Xie1, Bing Zhuan2, Haixia Wang3
1Department of Thoracic Surgery, Suzhou Science & Technology Town Hospital, Suzhou, China.
Abstract:
Recent studies have reported the anticancer activity of huaier extract in various human malignancies. However, little is known about the effect of huaier extract in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its underlying mechanism. The current study aimed to investigate whether huaier extract affects the progression of NSCLC. mRNA and proteins expression of pyroptotic-related genes (NLRP3, caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18) in NSCLC tissues and cells were, respectively, detected by qRT-PCR and western blot. The effects of huaier extract on NSCLC cell viability and cytotoxicity were evaluated by CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay, and LDH detection kit. Besides, we established a xenograft model to assess the antitumor effect of huaier extract on tumor growth in vivo. Our results showed that the expression of pyroptotic-related genes was downregulated in NSCLC tissues and cell lines. Huaier extract pretreatment inhibited cell viability and the percentage of colony formation of H520 and H358 cells, and upregulated the expression of pyroptotic-related genes. Mechanistically, huaier extract exhibited antitumor effect in NSCLC via inducing NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, our finding confirmed that huaier extract played an antitumor role in NSCLC progression through promoting pyroptotic cell death, which provided a new potential strategy for NSCLC clinical treatment.
Insights
Huaier extract demonstrates anticancer effects in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by inducing pyroptosis. This study reveals huaier extract promotes pyroptotic cell death, offering a potential new strategy for NSCLC treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Anticancer properties of huaier extract are documented in various cancers.
- The specific effects and mechanisms of huaier extract in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of huaier extract in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
- To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms, focusing on pyroptosis-related genes.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot to assess pyroptosis-related gene expression (NLRP3, caspase-1, IL-1β, IL-18).
- Cell viability assays (CCK-8, colony formation) and cytotoxicity assessment (LDH).
- In vivo xenograft model to evaluate antitumor effects.
Main Results:
- Expression of pyroptosis-related genes was found to be downregulated in NSCLC tissues and cell lines.
- Huaier extract inhibited NSCLC cell viability and colony formation.
- Huaier extract upregulated pyroptosis-related genes and induced NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis in vitro and in vivo.
Conclusions:
- Huaier extract exhibits antitumor activity in NSCLC by promoting pyroptosis.
- This finding suggests huaier extract as a potential therapeutic strategy for NSCLC treatment.