Berbamine Inhibits the Biological Activities of Prostate Cancer Cells by Modulating the ROS/NF-κB Axis.

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the mechanism of berbamine in inhibiting prostate cancer. Prostate cancer cell lines PC-3 and DU145 cells were used to evaluate the effects of berbamine. Cell viability was determined using cell-counting kit 8. The intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured using a ROS assay kit. Cell apoptosis rate was examined using flow cytometry. The protein levels associated with cell proliferation, NF-κB pathway, and apoptosis were determined using western blot. It was found that berbamine induced cell cycle arrest in the S phase and inhibited prostate cancer cell growth and proliferation. Berbamine inhibited prostate cancer cells by inhibiting the activation of the NF-κB pathway in vitro. Berbamine increased ROS as an upstream molecule that inhibited the NF-κB pathway. Our results demonstrated that berbamine can effectively reduce the proliferation of prostate cancer cells. The ROS/NF-κB axis plays a crucial role in berbamine-mediated anti-prostate cancer cell proliferation.