Effusanin B Inhibits Lung Cancer by Prompting Apoptosis and Inhibiting Angiogenesis

Abstract

Cancer is one of the deadliest human diseases, causing high rates of illness and death. Lung cancer has the highest mortality rate among all malignancies worldwide. Effusanin B, a diterpenoid derived from Isodon serra, showed therapeutic potential in treating non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Further research on the mechanism indicated that effusanin B inhibited the proliferation and migration of A549 cells both in vivo and in vitro. The in vitro activity assay demonstrated that effusanin B exhibited significant anticancer activity. Effusanin B induced apoptosis, promoted cell cycle arrest, increased the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and altered the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Based on mechanistic studies, effusanin B was found to inhibit the proliferation and migration of A549 cells by affecting the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) pathways. Moreover, effusanin B inhibited tumor growth and spread in a zebrafish xenograft model and demonstrated anti-angiogenic effects in a transgenic zebrafish model.