Skullcapflavone I has a potent anti ‐pancreatic cancer activity by targeting miR‐23a

AbstractBaicalein has been widely studied and showed a potent activity against pancreatic cancer in both in vivo and in vitro studies. Little is known regarding the effects of Skullcapflavone I (SFI), despite they have similar structures. So, this study was to explore the function of SFI on human pancreatic cancer. Panc ‐1 cells were transfected with miR‐23a precursor, miR‐23a inhibitor or the negative controls, and subsequently treated by SFI. Cell viability, Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)‐positive cell rate, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and related protein expression were assessed by utilizing Cell Counting Kit‐8 (CCK‐8), BrdU staining, apoptosis assessment, transwell assay, and western blot. SFI significantly reduced the proliferation, migration, and invasion, as well as induced apoptosis of Panc‐1 cells. MiR‐23a, miR‐21, and miR‐155 were lowly expressed while miR‐145 and miR‐146a were highly expressed in SFI‐treated cell. Of note, the antitumor effects of SFI were promoted by miR‐23a suppression whereas attenuated by miR‐23a overexpression. JAK/STAT and MAPK pathways were inhibited by SFI. Also, the pathway inhibition in SFI‐treated cells was reversed by miR‐23a overex pression. SFI might be a promising anti‐pancreatic cancer agent by inhibiting cancer cells growth and motility. The anticancer activities of SFI might be through downregulation of miR‐23a, as well as inhibition of JAK/STAT and MAPK pathways.
Source: BioFactors - Category: Biochemistry Authors: Tags: Research Communication Source Type: research