The JAK 2/ STAT 3 pathway is involved in the anti‐melanoma effects of atractylenolide I

In this study, we aimed to investigate the anti‐melanoma effects and the JAK 2/ STAT 3 pathway‐related mechanism of action of atractylenolide I in human melanoma cells. Our results showed that atractylenolide I effectively reduced viability, induced apoptosis and inhibited migration of melanoma cells. Meanwhile, atractylenolide I decreased the protein expression levels of phospho‐ JAK 2 and phospho‐ STAT 3, and in turn downregulated the mRNA levels of STAT 3‐targeted genes, including Bcl‐ xL , MMP ‐2 and MMP ‐9. Furthermore, the cytotoxic effect of atractylenolide I was attenuated in STAT 3‐overactivated A375 cells. These findings indicate that inhibition of JAK 2/ STAT 3 signalling contributes to the anti‐melanoma effects of atractylenolide I.