Open AccessStudies on the effect of Celastrus orbiculatus (Celastraceae) extract on chemosensitivity of liver cancer cells via Wnt/β-catenin pathway
Author(s) -
Xiao-bo Ding,
Laijun Song,
Yunfei Lu,
Qiting Huang,
Chengming Jiao
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
tropical journal of pharmaceutical research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.209
H-Index - 36
eISSN - 1596-5996
pISSN - 1596-9827
DOI - 10.4314/tjpr.v20i10.10
Subject(s) - apoptosis , cell growth , cyclin d1 , wnt signaling pathway , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , cell cycle , cell , cancer research , chemistry , biochemistry , signal transduction
Purpose: To examine the efficacy of Celastrus orbiculatus extract (COE) on the chemosensitivity of liver cancer (LC) cells and its mechanism of action.Methods: Hep G2/ADM cells in the logarithmic growth phase were assigned to a control group (no treatment for cell culture medium only) and a study group (120 μg/ml COE added to the culture medium). After 48 h of incubation, the biological responses were compared. The study group wasdivided into groups A and B, while control group was divided into groups C and D, with 1 μmol/L XAV939 added in groups A and C. Cell proliferation, cell invasion, cell apoptosis rate, and apoptosis protein in the four groups were evaluated.Results: The study group showed significantly lower values in terms of cell proliferation and cell invasiveness (p < 0.05) and a higher apoptotic rate than the control group (p < 0.05)). The study group also demonstrated an elevated pro-apoptotic protein Bax level and a declined anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 level. In contrast to group B, the proliferation and invasiveness of Hep G2/ADM cells in group A treated with the inhibitor, XAV939, were significantly lower (p < 0.05), while the apoptotic rate exhibited a significant increase (p < 0.05). There was a rise in the level of pro-apoptotic protein, Bax, and a fall in the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 level in group A. Lower levels of β-catenin, c-Myc, and cyclin D1 protein were observed in the study group compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Compared with other groups, the multiplication capacity and invasiveness of cells in group A treated with COE and inhibitor XAV939 significantly declined, while the apoptotic rate increased (p < 0.05).Conclusion: COE reverses drug resistance in chemotherapy by inhibiting the expression of Wnt/β-catenin pathway in LC cells. Therefore, COE has potentials for use along with chemotherapeutic agents in the management of liver cancer.