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The antineoplastic effects of nuciferine on hepatocellular carcinoma are associated with suppression of the HER2-AKT/ERK1/2 signaling pathway

  • 0Department of Abdominal Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, China.
Discover Oncology +

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May 19, 2025

|

May 19, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Nuciferine (NF) effectively suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) proliferation by halting the cell cycle and promoting apoptosis. This natural compound targets the HER2-AKT/ERK1/2 pathway, offering a potential therapeutic strategy for HCC.

Area Of Science

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Biochemistry

Background

  • Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) presents a significant global health challenge with high morbidity and mortality rates.
  • Nuciferine (NF), an alkaloid from Nelumbo nucifera, exhibits antineoplastic properties, but its specific role in HCC remains under investigation.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To investigate the antiproliferative effects and underlying mechanisms of Nuciferine (NF) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
  • To evaluate the efficacy of NF in inhibiting HCC cell growth and inducing apoptosis, both in vitro and in vivo.

Main Methods

  • MTT assays and colony formation assays were used to assess antiproliferative effects.
  • Flow cytometry (PI/RNase and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining) evaluated cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.
  • In vivo studies utilized ultrasonic imaging and histopathology in xenograft models.
  • RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), bioinformatics, and qRT-PCR analysis elucidated the molecular mechanisms.

Main Results

  • NF demonstrated significant antiproliferative activity against HCC cells, inducing cell cycle arrest at the G2 phase.
  • NF treatment led to a concentration-dependent increase in apoptosis in HCC cells.
  • In vivo studies confirmed NF's tumor-suppressive capacity.
  • NF was found to inhibit the HER2-AKT/ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

Conclusions

  • Nuciferine (NF) effectively suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) proliferation and induces apoptosis.
  • NF's mechanism involves cell cycle arrest at G2 phase and inhibition of the HER2-AKT/ERK1/2 signaling pathway.
  • NF represents a promising therapeutic agent for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Keywords:

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