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β-Elemene Inhibits Adrenocortical Carcinoma Cell Proliferation and Migration, and Induces Apoptosis by Up-Regulating

Yan Lin1,2,3,4, Tailin Guo1,2,3,4, Lishuang Che5

  • 1Provincial Clinical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.

Molecular Carcinogenesis
|January 13, 2025
PubMed

Insights

β-elemene inhibits adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) progression by decreasing cell viability and migration while promoting apoptosis. This occurs through the miR-486-3p/NPTX1 pathway, highlighting a potential therapeutic mechanism for ACC treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare and aggressive endocrine malignancy.
  • The therapeutic potential of β-elemene, known for its anti-inflammatory and antitumor properties, in ACC remains largely unexplored.
  • Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying β-elemene's effects on ACC is crucial for developing novel treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the influence of β-elemene on the malignant progression of ACC.
  • To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanism of β-elemene action in ACC.
  • To explore the role of the miR-486-3p/NPTX1 axis in β-elemene's anti-ACC effects.

Main Methods:

  • Cell viability, proliferation, migration, and apoptosis were assessed using CCK-8, clone formation, Transwell, wound healing, and flow cytometry assays.
  • Quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blot were employed to analyze miR-486-3p and neuronal pentraxin 1 (NPTX1) expression.
  • In vivo studies utilized a subcutaneous graft tumor model in mice to evaluate β-elemene's efficacy.

Main Results:

  • β-elemene significantly reduced ACC cell viability, proliferation, and migration, while inducing apoptosis in vitro and suppressing tumor growth in vivo.
  • β-elemene treatment upregulated miR-486-3p expression and downregulated NPTX1 expression in ACC cells.
  • Experimental manipulation of miR-486-3p and NPTX1 levels confirmed their involvement in mediating β-elemene's anti-ACC effects.

Conclusions:

  • β-elemene exerts significant anti-cancer effects against adrenocortical carcinoma by inhibiting cell viability, proliferation, and migration, and promoting apoptosis.
  • The therapeutic mechanism involves the regulation of the miR-486-3p/NPTX1 axis, where β-elemene enhances miR-486-3p and suppresses NPTX1.
  • These findings suggest that β-elemene, acting via the miR-486-3p/NPTX1 pathway, represents a promising therapeutic agent for adrenocortical carcinoma.
Keywords:
NPTX1adrenocortical carcinomaapoptosismiR‐486‐3pβ‐elemene

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