Scutellarin regulates MAPK/ERK signalling in nasopharyngeal cancer via the apoptotic and ROS induced DNA damage

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Pharmacology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a significant public health concern in endemic regions, associated with high morbidity and mortality.
• Existing treatments for NPC require improvement due to associated complications.
• Scutellarin, a natural compound, exhibits anticancer properties, but its specific mechanisms in NPC are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the in vitro molecular mechanisms of scutellarin's anti-cancer effects on CNE1 human NPC cells.
• To evaluate scutellarin's impact on NPC cell proliferation, apoptosis, and inflammatory responses.
• To elucidate the role of signaling pathways, including MAPKs/NF-κB, in mediating scutellarin's action.

Main Methods:

• CNE1 human NPC cells were treated with scutellarin (20 and 30 μM/ml).
• Assays included MTT, AO/EB, Rh-123, DCFH-DA, DAPI, and PI staining to assess proliferation, apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and reactive oxygen species (ROS).
• Western blot analysis was used to evaluate key proteins and signaling pathways (MAPKs/NF-κB, TNF-α, COX-2, iNOS, IL-6, pRB, cyclin-D1, CDK4/CDK6).

Main Results:

• Scutellarin significantly reduced NPC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion.
• The compound induced apoptosis by generating intracellular ROS and causing MMP loss.
• Scutellarin modulated the MAPKs/NF-κB signaling pathway, along with key inflammatory mediators and cell cycle regulatory proteins.

Conclusions:

• Scutellarin demonstrates potent anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory, and pro-apoptotic effects against NPC cells in vitro.
• The MAPKs/NF-κB signaling pathway is a key mediator of scutellarin's anti-cancer activity in NPC.
• Scutellarin holds promise as a potential therapeutic agent for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.