Celastrol Inhibits Proliferation and Migration, and Promotes Apoptosis of Colon Cancer Cell HT29

Abstract

We have examined the effects of celastrol on the proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of colon cancer HT29 cells and miR-133b as a possible mechanism of action. The HT-29 cells were incubated with celastrol at different concentrations (0, 2, 4 μmol/L) for 24 h. Cell counting kit-8, scratch wound, and flow cytometry assays were used to evaluate the effects of celastrol on the HT29 cells’ proliferation, migration, and apoptosis. The content of the miR-133b in the HT29 cells and human normal colorectal mucosa fetal human cells was measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. After treatment with different concentrations of celastrol, the proliferation and migration of the HT29 cells were both significantly inhibited in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). Additionally, flow cytometry assay showed that celastrol induced the apoptosis of the HT29 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The miR-133b in the HT-29 cells was significantly lower than that in the fetal human cells. After treatment with celastrol, the miR-133b in the HT-29 cells was 3.78 times (2 μmol/L celastrol) and 4.59 times (4μmol/L celastrol) the content of untreated cells. Celastrol significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration, and promoted apoptosis of the colon cancer cells, which may be mediated by upregulation of the miR-133b. The expression of the miR-133b in the colon cancer cells was significantly inhibited.