A Natural Organic Compound "Decursin" Has Both Antitumor and Renal Protective Effects: Treatment for Osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma is a rare malignant tumor that commonly occurs in children. Anticancer drugs, for example, cisplatin, aid in postsurgery recovery but induce side effects such as renal damage, affecting the life prognosis of patients. Decursin which is one of the bioactive components has been reported for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antitumor effects, but the effect on osteosarcoma is unexplained. In this study, the research theme was to examine the sensitizing effect of decursin and its influence on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. The cell viability and half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50), apoptosis induction, and effect on cell cycle and Akt pathways were examined. In vivo, we examine the effects of decursin on tumors and mice bodies. Additionally, the effects of the cisplatin-decursin combination were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Decursin suppressed cell viability and induced apoptosis via the cell cycle. Decursin also inhibited the Akt pathway by suppressing the phosphorylation of Akt. It enhanced apoptosis induction and lowered cell viability in combination with cisplatin. The increasing tumor volume was suppressed in the decursin-administrated group with further suppression in combination with cisplatin compared to sole cisplatin administration. The decrease in renal function and renal epithelial cell damage caused by cisplatin was improved by the combinatorial treatment with decursin. Therefore, decursin demonstrated an antitumor effect on the osteosarcoma cells and a renal protective effect in combination with cisplatin. Therefore, decursin is a prospective therapeutic agent against osteosarcoma.