Baicalein inhibits cell development, metastasis and EMT and induces apoptosis by regulating ERK signaling pathway in...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Pharmacology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Osteosarcoma is a highly aggressive primary bone tumor.
• Baicalein, a natural flavonoid, exhibits known broad-spectrum anti-tumor properties.
• Understanding baicalein's specific anti-osteosarcoma mechanisms is crucial for therapeutic development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which baicalein inhibits osteosarcoma progression.
• To investigate the role of the ERK signaling pathway in baicalein's anti-osteosarcoma effects.
• To evaluate the therapeutic potential of baicalein in both in vitro and in vivo osteosarcoma models.

Main Methods:

• In vitro studies utilized MG-63 osteosarcoma cells treated with varying baicalein concentrations (0-100 μM).
• Assays included MTT, clone formation, wound healing, Transwell invasion, cell cycle, apoptosis (Hoechst staining, flow cytometry), and Western blotting for protein analysis.
• In vivo efficacy was assessed using a BALB/c-nude mouse model with tumor xenografts.

Main Results:

• Baicalein demonstrated a dose-dependent inhibition of cell viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion, with an IC50 of 67.57 μM.
• It induced G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, decreasing key proteins (e.g., CDK2, Cyclin D1, Bcl-2, N-cadherin) and increasing others (e.g., p21, p27, cleaved caspase-3, Bax, E-cadherin).
• Baicalein significantly reduced tumor weight and volume in vivo, correlating with decreased p-ERK/ERK expression.

Conclusions:

• Baicalein effectively inhibits osteosarcoma cell proliferation, metastasis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).
• It induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, primarily through the regulation of the ERK signaling pathway.
• Baicalein exhibits significant anti-osteosarcoma activity, warranting further investigation as a potential therapeutic agent.