Abstract
β-lapachone, a quinone is a compound obtained from the bark of the lapacho tree (Tabebuia avellanedae), was reported to have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities. In this study, we investigated novel functions of β-lapachone about anti-metastasis and anti-invasion using human hepatocarcinoma cell lines, HepG2 and HepG3. β-lapachone dose-dependently inhibited cell viability and migration of both HepG2 and Hep3B cells according to MTT assay and wound healing assay. RT-PCR and Western blot data revealed that β-lapachone dramatically induced the levels of protein as well as mRNA expression of early growth response gene-1 (Egr-1) and throbospondin-1 (TSP-1) on early time and then decreased in a time-dependent manner. In addition, the down-regulation of Snail and up-regulation of E-cadherin expression were observed in β-lapachone-treated HepG2 and Hep3B cells, which was associated with the decreased invasive ability as measured by matrigel invasion assay. Taken together, our results strongly suggest that β-lapachone may be expected to inhibit progression and metastasis of hepatoma cells, at least in part, by inhibiting the invasive ability of the cells via up-regulation of the expression of the Egr-1, TSP-1 and E-cadherin.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
