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Published on: December 26, 2016
Honokiol inhibits the growth of SKBR3 cells
He Shi1, Yange Wang1, Mengli Yao1
1Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics (Ministry of Education), College of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
Background:
Breast cancer is one of the most malignant tumors in the reproductive system and has a poor prognosis. Finding drugs with high efficiency, low side-effects, and low cost has become a research hotspot.
Methods:
In the present study, we treated SK-BR-3 cells with different doses of honokiol. Crystal violet staining method was used to detect changes in the total number of living cells; 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was used to detect the effect of honokiol on SK-BR-3 cell proliferation. Cell migration ability change was determined by wound healing assay. Cell invasion ability change was determined by Transwell migration assay. Flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptotic rate of SK-BR-3 cells, and Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of proliferation-associated protein (PCNA); migration- and invasion-related protein matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2); vimentin; apoptosis-related proteins Bcl-xl, caspase 3, and cleaved caspase 3 (CC3); and β-catenin and its downstream target molecule c-Myc.
Results:
Compared with the control group, different doses of honokiol have different degrees of inhibitory effects on cells, including proliferation and invasion and migration (P<0.01). After treatment with 50 or 60 µmol·L-1 honokiol, the apoptotic rate of SK-BR-3 cells increased (both P<0.01); PCNA expression was significantly downregulated (P<0.01). Intracellular accumulation of apoptosis-related proteins Bcl-xl and caspase-3 decreased but C-C3 increased. We also found downregulation of MMP-2 expression, a protein related to invasion and migration (P<0.01), and a decrease in the expression levels of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway-related proteins β-catenin and c-Myc (P<0.01).
Conclusions:
Honokiol can promote the apoptosis of SK-BR-3 cells and can inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion of human breast cancer SK-BR-3 cells. The underlying mechanism may be through inhibiting the activation of the Wnt signaling pathway.
Insights
Honokiol effectively inhibits human breast cancer SK-BR-3 cell proliferation, migration, and invasion while promoting apoptosis. This action is linked to the inhibition of the Wnt signaling pathway, offering a potential therapeutic strategy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Breast cancer remains a significant health concern with a poor prognosis for many patients.
- There is a critical need for novel therapeutic agents with high efficacy, minimal side effects, and affordability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the anti-cancer effects of honokiol on human breast cancer SK-BR-3 cells.
- To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms, including effects on proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and the Wnt signaling pathway.
Main Methods:
- SK-BR-3 cells were treated with varying concentrations of honokiol.
- Cell viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion were assessed using crystal violet staining, MTT assay, wound healing, and Transwell assays, respectively.
- Apoptosis rates were determined by flow cytometry, and protein expression levels (PCNA, MMP-2, vimentin, Bcl-xl, caspase-3, CC3, β-catenin, c-Myc) were analyzed via Western blot.
Main Results:
- Honokiol significantly inhibited SK-BR-3 cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.01).
- Honokiol treatment increased the apoptotic rate of SK-BR-3 cells (P<0.01) and modulated the expression of key apoptosis-related proteins.
- Downregulation of proliferation marker PCNA, invasion marker MMP-2, and Wnt/β-catenin pathway components (β-catenin, c-Myc) was observed (P<0.01).
Conclusions:
- Honokiol demonstrates potent anti-cancer properties against human breast cancer SK-BR-3 cells by promoting apoptosis and inhibiting proliferation, migration, and invasion.
- The observed effects are potentially mediated through the suppression of the Wnt signaling pathway activation.
