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Physalin F Inhibits Cell Viability and Induces Apoptosis in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Cells
Jhy-Ming Li1, Kao-Tai Yang2, Chean-Ping Wu3
1Department of Animal Science, National Chiayi University, Chiayi City, Taiwan, R.O.C. jml@mail.ncyu.edu.tw.
Background/Aim:
Lung cancer has a high morbidity rate and remains the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Most patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are diagnosed at advanced stages, rendering surgical resection unfeasible and prognosis poor. Therefore, effective therapeutic agents for NSCLC are urgently needed. Physalin F, a steroid derivative isolated from Physalis angulata L., reduces cancer cell viability through unclear mechanisms. This study investigated the molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential of physalin F in NSCLC cells in vitro.
Materials And Methods:
Four NSCLC cell lines, harboring either wild-type (H460 and A549) or mutant (H1650 and H1975) EGFR, were treated with various concentrations of physalin F. Cell viability was assessed using the CCK-8 reagent. Apoptosis and cell-cycle progression were analyzed via flow cytometry and western blotting.
Results:
Physalin F significantly inhibited cell viability and induced apoptosis through the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways in NSCLC cells. It caused G2/M-phase cell cycle arrest. Mechanistically, physalin F down-regulated AKT and MAPK signaling pathways. Conversely, enforced AKT expression reversed physalin F-induced suppression of cell viability in NSCLC cells.
Conclusion:
Physalin F suppresses NSCLC cell growth via PI3K/AKT and RAS/MAPK signaling pathways. These findings suggest that physalin F holds potential as an effective therapeutic agent for NSCLC harboring both wild-type and mutant EGFR.
