Cincumol prevents malignant phenotype of colorectal cancer cell line HCT116 via inhibiting PI3K/AKT signaling in vitro.

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common human cancer along with higher incidence and mortality, and this study aimed to identify the effect of cincumol on CRC and its potential mechanisms. CRC cell line HCT116 was used as the material. Cell proliferation was evaluated by CCK-8 assay, and cell migration was detected by scratch test and Transwell assay. TUNEL staining assay was used to evaluate cell apoptosis. The expression of target genes was detected by qualitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot assays. Cincumol significantly reduced the proliferative and migratory rate and enhanced apoptotic rate of HCT116 cells. Meanwhile, the elevated levels of RBUsuh, Nicd and Tace was also observed in cincumol-treated HCT116 cells. Moreover, our findings revealed that additional cincumol inhibited the expression of p-PI3K and p-AKT, suggesting the inhibition of PI3K/AKT signaling might be involved in the protective role of cincumol on the malignant phenotypes of CRC cells in vitro. Cincumol inhibited the malignant phenotypes of CRC cells in vitro through inactivating PI3K/AKT signaling, suggesting that cincumol might be a potential anti-CRC agent.